What to Do if Your Car Breaks Down: Step by Step

Most of us see broken down vehicles all the time on our travels, but we never really expect it to happen to us. The reality, though, is that a breakdown can occur when we least expect it to. No matter how well you maintain your vehicle, how many miles it has on the clock or how many years it’s been on the road, a breakdown is always a possibility.
Cars are highly complex machines, after all, with thousands of mechanical and electrical parts that can go wrong. In a modern car, all it takes is for one sensor to fail and disaster can strike… often without warning. Being prepared and knowing what to do if this does happen to you is key.
What to do when you break down
Here’s our step-by-step guide to help you deal with the situation safely and calmly:
- Find a safe place to pull over. If your engine has failed or you’ve lost drive, try to coast your vehicle onto the hard shoulder, a layby or a safe parking spot. You may be waiting a while at the roadside, so safety is paramount.
- If you’re on a major road, like a dual carriageway or motorway, exit the vehicle and stand behind the barrier.
- If you have breakdown cover, give them a call (you might need to have your membership number handy before you ring). Otherwise, find a local recovery firm online and speak to them.
- The recovery driver may be able to resolve the issue at the roadside, but if not, they will transport you and your vehicle to an onward destination of your choice.
- Ideally, if you know a trusted local garage, get your vehicle transported straight there for repairs.
Breaking down is a stressful experience at the best of times, but hopefully our step-by-step guide has helped you feel a little more prepared. If you break down in or near Peterborough, you can count on the Peterborough car mechanics at Vital Vehicle Care to get your vehicle back on the road again. Contact us today for a repair quote.
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