Diagnose & Decide
Common Breakdown Problems
Pick the fault that matches what your vehicle is doing. Each page tells you what it usually means, what to do before help arrives, and whether it ends in a roadside fix or a flatbed.
Call 03300 435121Car won't start
Engine turns over slowly, clicks, or does nothing at all.
What to doFlat battery
Dash dim or dead, slow crank, or nothing after the car sat unused.
What to doWrong fuel put in
Misfuelled on a forecourt and unsure whether to drive.
What to doRan out of fuel
Tank empty, car stopped, no forecourt within walking distance.
What to doFlat tyre or blowout
Puncture, kerbed sidewall, or a car supplied with no spare wheel.
What to doEngine overheating
Temperature warning, steam, or coolant loss while driving.
What to doClutch has gone
Pedal has gone soft or the car revs without moving.
What to doGearbox or transmission failure
No drive, stuck in gear, or a transmission warning on the dash.
What to doKeys locked in the car
Keys shut inside, lost, or snapped in the lock.
What to doStuck in mud, snow or a ditch
Vehicle bogged down, slid off the road, or grounded out.
What to doWarning light on the dash
A light has appeared and you're unsure whether it's safe to continue.
What to doBroken down on a motorway
Stopped on a hard shoulder, refuge area, or in a live lane.
What to doElectric car out of charge
EV at zero range, or refusing to take a charge at a public unit.
What to doCar undriveable after a crash
Post-accident vehicle that can't safely be driven away.
What to doVan broken down loaded
Commercial vehicle stopped mid-job, load and tools at risk.
What to doCar won't go into gear
Selector stuck, gears grinding, or auto stuck in park.
What to do