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Let’s face it, one of the most frustrating experiences of car ownership is a breakdown.
Immediately, you’re fretting about the repairs that might need to be done; and, on top of that, you’re faced with the stress of your mode of transport no longer taking you where you need to be - whether it’s visiting friends, taking a trip, or going to work.
We recently commissioned a survey of over 2,000 UK adults to find out more about their experiences with breakdowns, and the most common reasons for their cars breaking down. Can you guess what it is?
Breakdown concerns
First, let’s take a look at perception - what do people think will be the reason for breakdown or car failure?
Only 4% are concerned about battery failure, while 15% are worried that their brakes will fail. It makes sense - brakes are a pretty major safety component, and the cost of brake replacement can be relatively expensive.
Brake replacement can cost anything from around £150 to £400 depending on the model of car and any callout fees. So, the fear of brake failure is warranted on the basis of cost and safety.
The actual reasons for breakdown
Battery failure
It turns out that the reality of what actually happens is practically the opposite to what people worry will happen.
When surveyed, only 3% said their most recent breakdown was due to brake failure - and the most common reason was battery failure, coming in at a whopping 17%.
Luckily, battery replacement is around half the price of brake replacement, with the average cost for the battery and replacement standing at around £115. And that’s if you actually need to replace it.
For the majority of battery failures, a jump start or charge will usually do the trick - and if you can get a friend over to help, the cost probably won’t be more than a cup of tea!
Engine failure
The second most common cause of people’s cars breaking down was engine failure, with 12% reporting that this was the reason for their most recent breakdown.
Now, you might be wondering what ‘engine failure’ actually means. There are many complex systems within an engine that could fail, but the main causes are overheating, lack of oil, and detonation (which is mostly not as dramatic as it sounds). To avoid these, you should get your car serviced regularly and be sure to check your oil levels - especially before long journeys.
Car won’t start
The car simply not starting was the reported cause of 9% of breakdowns, making it the third most common reason. If you’re not sure why your car won’t start, it can be quite alarming.
In most cases, the average person isn’t going to have the ability to diagnose the problem - and there are actually many reasons why this might happen, ranging from a dead battery to spark plug issues.
While it is possible to garner some idea of what might have happened from the sounds your car is making (for example, you’ll usually hear a whirring sound if your engine is flooded), your best bet will be calling a mechanic.
Why do we worry about breaking down?
There are plenty of reasons why our cars break down - and similarly, there are plenty of reasons why breakdowns concern us.
From the adults surveyed, it became clear that people’s biggest concern is the cost of repairs (39%). As we’ve touched on, breakdowns can prove to be rather costly, with the average cost for recent repairs falling at £295.60.
Another huge worry is ‘being stranded away from home’; 35% reported this as their biggest concern.
It’s important to keep in mind that if you do break down away from home, you should try to pull over in the safest place possible (as far away from moving traffic as you can get). Put your hazard lights on to warn other drivers, and if you’re on a normal road (not a motorway) put a warning triangle 50m behind your vehicle.
Taking your car for repairs
Our survey also found that another concern regarding breaking down is having to deal with a garage as a result.
This needn’t be the case - and Kwik Fit makes it easy for you. We’re here to help you in your time of need, and our friendly team will make the process as smooth as possible. Locate your nearest Kwik Fit centre and give us a call!
Want to know why ADAS calibration is important for vehicle safety & performance? Read our blog to learn more about the impacts of not calibrating your ADAS.
Your tyre size can be found on the sidewall of your current tyre and is a sequence of numbers and letters. The most common tyre size in the UK is 205/55R16 but there are many variations so it’s important to check your existing tyre first before searching for tyres.
Tip: Take a photo of your existing tyre sidewall to make it easier to identify your tyre size using the guide below.
The first three digits. This displays the width of the tyre in millimetres. A tyre marked 225 will measure 225mm across the tread from sidewall to sidewall.
Aspect Ratio
The fourth and fifth digits of the tyre code that immediately follow the tyre width. The aspect ratio or profile height of the tyre sidewall is expressed as a percentage of the tyre width. So an aspect ratio of 55 for example means that the profile height of the tyre is 55% of its width.
Rim Diameter
The next two digits represent the size of the wheel rim that the tyre can be fitted to. It is also the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead. So a tyre marked 16 will fit on a 16-inch wheel rim.
Speed Rating
The speed rating of a tyre is represented by a letter of the alphabet at the end of the tyre size code and indicates the maximum speed capability of the tyre. Tyres receive a speed rating based on a series of tests which measure the tyres capability to handle a set speed for a prolonged period of time.
Select your tyre speed rating to find out the maximum speed your tyres can maintain.
If you are unsure what speed rating you need, be sure to check your vehicle handbook. Choosing a lower speed rating than that recommended by your vehicle manufacturer could potentially invalidate your insurance.
Load Rating
The load index provides information on the maximum weight capability for the tyre. The load index is a numerical code that can be located just after the tyre size marking and before the speed rating.
Select your load index to find out the maximum load capability for your tyres.
Although not illegal, it is not advisable to have tyres with a lower speed rating or load index than the manufacturer recommended tyre specification for your vehicle, or to have a combination of different tyre construction types. Consult your vehicle handbook to confirm your vehicle’s tyre speed rating and load index as well as any additional requirements.
0800 75 76 77 You can reach our customer care team 6 days a week from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Monday and Thursday, 8:30am to 6:00pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm Saturday, and 10:00am to 4:00pm on Bank Holidays.
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Select Tyre Size
Front Tyre Size
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We endeavour to ensure we are displaying the correct tyres for your vehicle. However, we recommend all customers check the tyre size printed on the side wall of their tyres before proceeding with a tyre purchase as occasionally discrepancies do occur. By selecting the tyre sizes above and clicking 'Continue', you are indicating that you have checked your tyre sizes.
Please select your front and rear tyre size before clicking 'Continue'.
We have identified the tyre size(s) that may fit your {VEHICLE}. Please select your front tyre size and rear tyre size below before clicking 'Continue'.
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Please note: There is a slope that the vehicle must be driven up to reach the vehicle ramp at this centre. This may prevent us from being able to work on some high-performance vehicles, Tesla vehicles or vehicles that have been lowered. If your vehicle has low ground clearance, please contact the centre team on 01342 314 111 before booking.
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