Most common car faults

Car faults are common, and it’s something you’ll need to think of when it comes to car ownership. If you’re buying a brand-new car, you’ll be less likely to encounter as many car issues but it’s not impossible. Even brand-new vehicles can come with some hiccups early on. Common car faults are usually associated with used vehicles due to their older age and higher mileage. However, you can stay ahead of the game and check out our common car faults before they occur. Remember prevention is key and there are some faults that you could fix before they happen! 

1. Dashboard warning light.

When a warning light illuminates your car’s dashboard, it may put the fear of God in you! This is mainly because a dashboard warning light could notify you of something small, like low fuel levels, or it could be something much more serious, like the engine misfiring or low brake fluid. The symbol on your dashboard can be illuminated green, amber or red and helps to indicate how serious the issue is. A red warning symbol should be addressed straight away, an amber is an advisory signal which means something should be checked out, and a green symbol usually means everything is ok. Dashboard warning lights are a common fault and if they’re a red or amber light, they should be addressed as soon as possible.

Find out more about the most common dashboard warning lights and what they mean. 

2. Battery faults.

Faults with your car’s battery are common, and some can be really serious. Your car’s battery is responsible for operating a whole range of features in your car, and they do a damn good job of it. However, with more responsibility comes a higher likelihood of something going wrong. Your car battery warning light may appear if there is an issue with your battery, and it usually indicates your battery isn’t getting enough current to operate properly. When car battery problems appear, you should have them checked by a trained mechanic as soon as possible. 

3. Flat tyres.

Flat tyres are a common car fault, but thankfully, they’re easily prevented. First checking your tyres are in good condition and considering the age of the tyre can help. Tyres can generally last between 3- 5 years or 20,000 to 30,000 miles but can also vary so use this as a rough guide. You should get into the habit of checking your tyre pressure every month or so and inflating the tyres to the correct pressure if needs be. One of the most Google’d car problems is ‘what should my tyre pressure be?’ so make sure you know this too! You can find out what your cars tyre pressure needs to be by checking your car’s vehicle handbook. Looking after your tyres and ensure they are correctly inflated to the right pressure can help to avoid tyre problems.

4. Worn brake pads.

Issues with your car’s brake pads may be picked up during your car’s service, or you may notice common signs such as longer stopping distances, unusual noises when braking, vibrations in the brake pedal, or your car drifting to one side when you brake. Worn brake pads are a common car fault, and they can start to wear anywhere between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, depending on how and where you drive. Urban areas and city driving usually have more built-up, stop-start traffic where you may need to use your brakes more. Look out for the above symptoms of worn brake pads and have your car serviced regularly to avoid any brake pad issues. 

5. Shaking steering wheel.

There are several common car faults which may be the root cause of a shaking steering wheel. If you notice your steering wheel is vibrating or shaking when you turn on the ignition or whilst driving, it could indicate tyre problems, brake problems, misaligned wheels, suspension and steering issues or damaged wheel bearings. If you notice any faults with your steering wheel, you should have it checked right away by a trained mechanic. 

6. Damaged suspension.

Damaged or worn suspension is a common fault with many cars. Your car’s suspension is key to a comfortable and stable ride and helps to reduce tyre wear and tear. Your car’s suspension may be damaged by rough roads, such as potholes or speed bumps, so try to avoid them where possible or ensure you drive over them carefully and slowly. Your car’s suspension can also be damaged by excessive weight in the vehicle or misaligned wheels. 

7. Worn spark plugs.

Spark plugs are an essential part of your car engine, and they are responsible for igniting the air and fuel in the combustion chamber and transferring heat away from the combustion chamber. You may notice your spark plugs failing if you experience trouble starting your car, the engine misfiring, higher fuel consumption and lack of acceleration. Your spark plugs may be checked and changed by a mechanic during a full or major service, so you must keep up your car’s serving needs. Leaving faulty spark plugs for too long can lead to more serious issues which can be costly. 

8. Increased fuel consumption.

Have you ever noticed your car started using more fuel than usual? Or you feel like your trips to the petrol station are becoming more frequent? Your cars fuel efficiency may have reduced and it is a common car fault. You may be using more fuel if you are guilty of bad driving habits like speeding and accelerating harshly. Under inflated tyres can also create more rolling resistance which uses more fuel so checking your tyre pressure is correct can be helpful too. You may also use more fuel if your air filters are clogged or fuel injectors are leaking. 

Find out how to save fuel when driving. 

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