Breakdowns caused by poor maintenance rise 14% this winter

For several years now we have been suffering a dreadful financial crisis that is causing problems on the road that did not exist a few years ago. On top of the poor state of the infrastructure, which is not repaired or maintained in proper condition, there is now something quite important to point out: breakdowns due to lack of maintenance are growing steadily, with the risk that poses for everyone, and not only for the drivers of the broken-down vehicles.

The cost of maintenance is seen as an expense that can wait, and people leave it far too long before taking the car to the workshop for those small tasks that keep the vehicle in perfect condition. Tyres are also among the parts that are left unchanged for longer than advisable. The useful life of the wheels is stretched to the limit, which means many cars are driven with worn tyres.

Once again, it has been found that safety components are the ones that receive the least maintenance, so we must bear in mind that keeping these parts in perfect condition will not only save the lives of the vehicle’s occupants, but can also make maintenance costs far lower than those incurred if a breakdown occurs and the car has to be left at the workshop.

Lack of maintenance of mechanical components causes many of the breakdowns of Spanish cars. Car maintenance is essential to guarantee safety, especially at a time when not all roads are receiving the maintenance they need, and extra caution is required at many more points than before. According to RACE, the main problem is the battery, which is the component that has failed most this winter.

Tyres are the second cause of calls to this service, while traffic accidents are the third. The engine, alternator, pump and starter motor are the other parts of the car that cause the breakdowns attended to this winter. As I mentioned at the beginning, the number of all of them has grown and clearly shows the lack of maintenance of cars in the Spanish vehicle fleet.

It goes without saying that we recommend regular inspections of all car components and that all necessary maintenance tasks are carried out. It is not only a matter of driving safely; the cost of repairs is always far higher than the cost of that maintenance.

Source | RACE