Five causes of vehicle breakdown

In addition to standard winter vehicle maintenance, there are a number of things that you should check to avoid a breakdown on the roads. By identifying the five most common causes of vehicle breakdowns you may also be able to uncover hidden faults in your vehicle before the cold hits.

There's a lot that can go wrong under the bonnet, and care needs to be taken to ensure mechanical reliability. A flat or faulty battery is the number one cause of vehicle breakdowns. Normally signalled by a slow screeching of the starter motor, or worse, silence, this problem is relatively easy to identify.

While a pair of jumper cables may get you out of this fix, prevention is better than cure. Batteries often lose their charge due to frequent short journeys. Ensure that you take a long journey at least once a month or charge it fortnightly.

It is advised that you also periodically check that all of your battery's connections are secure and are corrosion free. A healthy dose of grease can help to ensure your engine is corrosion free and lubricated, no matter the season.

Your alternator, another common source of mechanical problems, is responsible for providing mechanical power to your car's battery and other electrical components such as headlamps, windscreen wipers and the radio. Unfortunately there is no way to maintain an alternator, but warning signs to look out for include a flickering battery warning light, dimmed headlamps and dashboard lights, as well as slower than usual windscreen wipers.

Often faults with your starter motor can go unnoticed and only present themselves when the engine fails to start. Regular maintenance checks can help to prevent any problems with your starter motor. Ensuring that this part is in good working order is important, especially if you frequently drive at night - the last thing you want is to be stranded in a deserted car park in the dark.

The importance of using the right fuel for your car should never be underestimated. Using the wrong fuel or simply running out of fuel is a mistake made by hundreds of thousands of people per year. Don't be one of them.

Never take to the roads without a spare tyre onboard. While tyre failure is genuinely caused by obstructions in the road, it can often be prevented. A prime cause of tyre failure is under-inflation. Ensure that you check your vehicle's tyre pressure periodically to prevent failure. Also keep an eye out for any slow punctures, signalled by tyres that deflate frequently.

Take proper precautions to prevent a breakdown this winter. Breakdown cover can help to alleviate stress in the event that your car does break down. Get a free online quote from Green Flag today for a worry free winter.