Vehicle defects we can all address
The Department for Transport has revealed that an average of 1,700 incidents each year are caused by vehicle defects that drivers could address themselves.
It has listed the five most common faults that can all lead to accidents if not repaired.
The vehicle defect that leads to the most accidents is faulty brakes, with an average of 630 incidents each year in the UK. In 2018, 15 of these were fatal. Drivers can avoid this by ensuring they have sufficient brake fluid, while also replacing any fading brake pads.
Imperfect tyres are the second most common cause of car accidents and the most likely defect to lead to a fatality. In a typical year, there are around 550 incidents that involve defective or underinflated tyres and in 2018, 17 of these cases resulted in deaths.
Drivers must ensure their tread depth is above the minimum 1.6mm and that there are no obvious faults with the tyre.
With around 260 accidents a year attributed to steering or suspension issues, it’s crucial that drivers are able to spot the warning signs. Symptoms of faded suspension include a bumpy driving experience, the car beginning to drift to one side and the tread on your tyres wearing out unevenly. If drivers believe they have a fault, they must get it replaced by a professional mechanic.
Steering issues could be due to a lack of power steering fluid.
Next on the list are faulty lights and indicators, which cause roughly 150 accidents each year, while the final accident-causing defect recorded by the Department for Transport involves cracked or missing mirrors. While there are only about 12 accidents of this kind a year, defective mirrors are incredibly dangerous as they significantly reduce a driver’s vision.
Chris Barella, digital services director at Euro Car Parts, said: “Keeping on top of basic maintenance can really help protect you and your vehicle against accidents on the road.
“The tips we’ve provided will hopefully give people the confidence to take on some of the simpler checks themselves, but make sure to go to a garage if you’re unsure about anything.”
