A new study has revealed that ignoring or misdiagnosing unusual car sounds can result in repair bills of more than £1,000.
A new study by Auto Trader has found that 53% of drivers believe they can accurately diagnose vehicle issues but 66% misidentified common faults when played recordings of mechanical faults.
Meanwhile, 35% of drivers admitted they have ignored mechanical issues that later became more serious, with the average cost of delaying repairs adding £400 to the final bill. One if five drivers said they had spent more than £700 on repairs that could have been avoided.
According to vehicle technician Hannah Gordon, many of the most commonly misdiagnosed issues are relatively inexpensive to fix if caught early but can become significantly more costly if ignored.
They include low power steering fluid, wheel bearing issues, seized engines, loose or worn-out belts, and worn brake pads.
Unusual noises
Gordon said: “As soon as a driver hears a noise, they should check the dash to see if any lights have become illuminated. This can give them an idea of what may have happened.
“If it sounds like it may be coming from the wheel and the noise only happens when driving, then check if the car is driving or handling any differently. If the noise sounds like it’s from the engine, then check all the fluid levels and top-up if necessary.
“With any sound it is best to get it to a garage as soon as possible and allow a mechanic to determine whether the car is still driveable.”
