Whether it is a sudden engine failure, smoke or a flat tyre: 64% of German motorists have had a car breakdown at some point, according to a representative survey by gas station chain HEM.
Repairing a malfunction often involves stress and time, and costs both money and nerves. But many breakdowns can be prevented by simple measures, which, as it turned out, not every driver is aware of. According to the study, women care less about the regular maintenance of their car and therefore are more likely to have their car break down suddenly.
Although the study was conducted in Germany, it reflects the situation in most countries.
The majority of respondents (87%) regularly bring the car in for service after every 15,000-30,000 miles. However, many drivers are dismissive of simple checks: about nine out of ten drivers regularly check the oil level, only 42% carry a can of engine oil “to top up”. Only 49% regularly check the battery (60% men), 45% – v-belts and timing belts (62% men), 49% – spark plugs and brakes (58% men).
Many vehicles today have numerous warning lights to draw attention to possible malfunctions or impending malfunctions. However, 26% of the women surveyed said they did not know all the meanings of the indicator lights. Among male drivers this is only 12%.
The study ‘Car breakdown and accidents’, conducted by gas station chain HEM in March 2022, involved 2,518 people aged 18 and over.