Most Frequent Car Faults

Why are there faults with my car?

Whether you’re buying a used car or a model that’s just rolled off the factory floor, you’ll probably find that it develops at least one fault over its lifetime. The everyday wear and tear that your car goes through while on the road and when parked can lead to a range of different problems, some more serious than others. A good rule of thumb is to pay attention to the small faults and get them fixed before they can develop into something more severe.

It’s important to remember that different cars are more likely to form different faults. Vehicles don’t all age at the same rate, and you might be able to reduce the number of problems that come up by taking good care of your car and keeping up with a regular maintenance schedule. Manufacturers also have varied reputations when it comes to reliability and a recent survey by Which? found that petrol hybrid cars are the most resilient.

Which are the most common car faults?

The parts of your car that are used most frequently – the clutch, brakes, engine, and tyres – are also usually the first things to develop faults. Regular maintenance and servicing can help keep these to a minimum, but you should stay alert and look out for signs that faulty parts might need repairing or replacing.

Here are some of the most common car faults:

Shaking steering wheel

A shaking steering wheel isn’t only dangerous – especially when driving at high speeds – but it can also indicate a serious problem with car suspension. Check whether your suspension is damaged or if your wheel bearings or tyre balance are out of whack and make sure the issue is resolved before hitting the road again. If your steering feels stable but the car is still pulling to one side, your wheels have most likely fallen out of alignment, and you’ll need to get a mechanic involved to fix it.

Worn brake pads

Worn brake pads is one of the most typical car faults as they’re something we use every time we drive. The constant friction causes wear over time and your brakes can start to squeak, squeal, or grind each time you press the pedal. It’s important that you don’t ignore these symptoms. Brakes that are coming to the end of their life can be less responsive, which could lead to accidents. It’s best to get them replaced straightaway.

Tyre issues

There are a few things to check on your tyres when you’re looking out for car faults. Legally, your tyre trim must be 1.6mm but you should consider replacing them before you hit this limit to keep your car as safe as possible. Thin tyres are also more prone to punctures, which could leave you at risk of ending up with a flat. If your tyres are wearing unevenly then you should look to see if the wheels need to be balanced too.

Damaged suspension

If potholes and rough road surface are hitting a bit harder these days, your suspension might be at fault. The best way to check, other than heading straight to the garage, is to take a drive that takes in a range of different road types. Make sure you travel over some speed bumps and uneven surfaces on your route. Tell tale signs of a damaged suspension include hearing any thumps or knocks, serious jolts in your seat, or loose handling. In that case, you might have broken springs in need of replacement.

Exhaust issues

The biggest sign that your exhaust is playing up is smoke. Luckily, the colour of the smoke can tell you what’s causing the problem. White or grey smoke usually means that coolant is being combusted along with fuel, so there’s probably a leak somewhere in the engine block, cylinder head, or head gasket. Blue or black smoke is a little more worrying; blue means that your car is burning engine oil so the seals or gaskets might be failing, while black smoke can highlight a few different issues but proves that your car isn’t burning fuel at the right rate.

Overheating or noisy engine

Car engines work hard and are made up of a lot of components that need to work in tandem to run smoothly. Every engine must mix the right amount of air and fuel that then burns in the combustion chamber. But that process is also hot – seriously hot. If your engine starts overheating, you probably have an issue with the car’s cooling system. There are a few fixes for this; try topping up your coolant, check the radiator for signs of corrosion, and look out for any leaks that could be restricting the amount of coolant reaching the engine block. Engines should be relatively quiet while running too – spluttering, knocking, or rattling sounds all indicate that there could be an urgent issue to address.

Car paint chipping

If your car is parked outside, it’s exposed to the elements. The sun and rain can both corrode paintwork, making it look dull or causing chips over time. The good news is that you can take steps to preserve your paint for as long as possible by using a paint protection kit but, if it’s already too late, you can book it in to get repainted at a car body shop. Be sure to check your car regularly for rust too and be sure to include the wheel arches and around the exhaust.

Poor fuel efficiency

When you’ve been driving the same car for a while, you probably have a good idea of its average fuel consumption. If this suddenly drops for no reason, you should be looking out for car faults. You can burn through fuel quickly if the engine has been poorly serviced or the fuel filters, air filters, and O2 sensors are clogged.

Burnt out clutch

Just like your brake pads, constantly riding your clutch can burn it out over time. The biggest sign that this fault has happened will be an unmistakeable smell of burnt toast. You might be able to feel it too as the pedal will feel like it’s slipping every time you use it. Make sure you get this looked at by a mechanic quickly; if your clutch fails, you won’t be able to change gear and could end up stranded on the side of the road!

Can my car develop electrical faults?

Modern cars come equipped with a whole host of tech. And while Satnav, air conditioning, lane keep assistance and more can make driving more fun, it also means there are more electrical faults that can pop up over time. Even the features that are designed to detect faults can be faulty!

Flat batteries

A flat battery is one of the most common car faults and one that can be inevitable as cars age. It can strike at any time but is especially prevalent in cold weather or when you’ve left your car parked up on the drive for a couple of weeks without moving. If you’ve tried to start the car and it’s struggling, or the lights (inside and out) get dimmer when you turn ignition then you could have a battery fault. The best way to fix it is to get a jump start but, if the battery is well past its prime, you might want to shell out for a replacement.

The good news is that you can take steps to help your battery go the distance. Don’t leave any electrics like your car radio on while the engine isn’t running and aim to a drive for at least 10 to 15 minutes each week without stopping to keep it ticking over.

Air conditioning

Just like your battery, air conditioning needs to be well-maintained and used regularly to stay in good working order. Unfortunately, this isn’t usually checked during a service – and it’s not included in your MOT – so you need to keep an eye on it yourself. Make sure you switch the air conditioning on every so often year-round as this will help keep the seals in good condition and minimise the chances of mould or anything other bacteria developing in your ventilation system. If your air conditioning stops working than it can usually be fixed with a re-gas, which refreshes the required coolants.

Faulty electrical parts

The first sign that you might have a problem with your electrics will be a warning indicator appearing on your dashboard. Unfortunately, these can be defective too, so it’s a good idea to get any issues checked out by a professional mechanic, just in case. Other electrical faults include speakers, which can often develop faults when wiring comes loose, and lights can corrode and cause bulb issues or just wear out over time.

Which are the most reliable car manufacturers?

Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to the most reliable car brands. Some people swear by German engineering and believe that you can’t go wrong with an Audi, Mercedes-Benz, or BMW. But in recent years, Japanese manufacturers have earned themselves a strong reputation for reliability and mechanical durability – and they’re relatively inexpensive to repair. Brands like Honda, Toyota, Lexus, and Hyundai regularly top lists of the most reliable car manufacturers.

How to check for car faults

While almost every car will develop a fault at some point, paying close attention and keeping your car in good condition will make it more likely you’ll catch small faults before they develop into something more serious.

Look and listen; you’ll be able to detect most car fault by watching out for signs like strange noises, smoke, or sticky pedals. You should also keep an eye on your dashboard as lights will appear if something has gone wrong with the engine – orange lights typically serve as a warning while red lights mean the issue needs to be investigated ASAP.

If you’re buying a used car, check for car faults during the test drive. It’s a good idea to check that the engine is cold before setting off (in case it’s been pre-warmed by an unscrupulous seller) and look over the interior and exterior, including the tyre thread. Ask to see its service history too as this’ll let you know how well the car’s been looked after by its previous owners.

What are my rights to repair if my car develops a fault?

Used cars don’t usually come with a warranty as typically these expire after the first three years of life. You can take out an extended warranty privately but, if you’ve just bought your car, then you’re protected under the Consumer Credit Act 2015. Think of it as the used car warranty law; it covers all used vehicles bought from dealerships. If the car develops a fault within the first six months, then it’s presumed that it was already there when you bought it and so the dealership must repair or replace your car.

Is it time to replace your car?

When your pride and joy starts to constantly develop faults or the repairs start to cost more than the car is worth, it’s probably time to start thinking about something new. Car finance can help you split the cost of a new used car into manageable monthly repayments. There are several options available including hire purchase, which usually leads to car ownership, and personal contract purchase, which gives you more options including being able to return the car at the end of your loan term.

When you apply with us at CarFinance 247, we’ll look to find you the best deal from our panel of lenders. Your personal account manager will be on hand to guide you through the process and answer any questions you might have. They can also help you find your dream car. And thanks to our wide panel of lenders, we can look to find car finance for people with a variety of different circumstances, including those who have been refused elsewhere.