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A vehicle breakdown is a mechanical or electrical failure of a motor vehicle in such a way that the underlying problem prevents the vehicle from being operated or impedes the vehicle's operation so significantly that it is very difficult, nearly impossible, or else dangerous to operate.^[1]

Vehicle breakdowns have various causes. Depending on the severity, the vehicle may need to be towed to an automobile repair shop or fixed on-site by roadside assistance or a mobile mechanic. With other problems, the driver may be able to operate the vehicle seemingly normally for some time, but the vehicle will need an eventual repair. Many vehicle owners with personal economic difficulty or a busy schedule may wait longer than they should to get necessary maintenance or repairs made to their vehicles, thereby increasing their chances of a breakdown, inducing further damage to the vehicle, or else causing more danger.^[2]

Severity[edit]

There are various levels of a vehicle's disability:

Total Breakdown[edit]

A total breakdown is when the vehicle becomes totally immobile and cannot be driven even a short distance, thereby necessitating a tow to an auto mechanic, or an on-site repair from roadside assistance or a mobile technician.

Partial Breakdown[edit]

In a partial breakdown, the vehicle may still be operable, but its operation may become more limited or more dangerous, or else its continued operation may contribute to further damage to the vehicle. When this occurs, it may be possible to drive the vehicle to a repair shop or a safer location for a mobile repair, thereby avoiding a tow.

Causes[edit]

In 2014, The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) attended almost two million breakdowns in the United Kingdom. Battery problems were the most common cause of a car breakdown, accounting for more than 450,000 call-outs.

Top 10 Causes[edit]

Battery
Wheel change
Fuel
Mechanical problems
Puncture (no spare)
Electrical problems
Charging electric vehicles
Clutch
Ignition
Cooling, heating, ventilation and air conditioning

Contributing Factors[edit]

Roadside assistance data collected, analyzed and published by AAA provides the following statistical insights into vehicle breakdowns in the United States and Canada:

Age[edit]

Vehicles ten years and older are twice as likely to end up immobilized on the side of the road compared to newer vehicles, and the odds of needing a tow quadruples.^[3]
Vehicles fewer than five years old have a higher proportion of tire, key and fuel-related issues than older vehicles.^[4]
One in five service calls for a newer vehicle required a tow to a repair facility.^[4]
Vehicles between six and ten years old have the highest proportion of battery-related issues, as most batteries have a three-to-five-year life.^[4]

Maintenance[edit]

Millions of roadside breakdowns each year could be prevented with basic vehicle maintenance.^[2]
35 percent of Americans have skipped or delayed service or repairs that were recommended by a mechanic or specified by the factory maintenance schedule.^[2]

Region[edit]

Drivers in the West experienced the most breakdowns, followed by the South, the Northeast and the Midwest.^[4]

Season[edit]

Roadside assistance calls peak in the summer (8.3 million) followed by winter (8.1 million), fall (7.8 million) and spring (7.7 million).^[4]

Coverage[edit]

When a breakdown occurs, the motorist may be able to have the tow and/or repair covered by a third party:

Factory Warranty[edit]

A vehicle manufacturer's warranty often covers the repair and subsequent towing expense if the root cause of the repair is deemed warrantable and is repaired at a certified dealership.

Extended Warranty/Service Contract[edit]

A service contract is a type of extended warranty (although may not be legally considered a true warranty) that is typically available for purchase at the time of the vehicle sale and usually includes roadside assistance.

Insurance[edit]

An auto insurance policy provides liability coverage for any damage caused by a vehicle, however, some comprehensive policies also cover repairs, roadside assistance services, tow and rental expenses.

Roadside Assistance[edit]

A roadside assistance plan may be available for purchase through club membership or in some cases, as an add-on service from another subscription, such as a mobile phone.

References[edit]

^ "Breakdown Definition: 529 Samples". Law Insider. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
^ ^a ^b ^c Edmonds, Ellen (2015-10-08). "Roadside Breakdowns Preventable with Proper Maintenance, Finds AAA". AAA Newsroom. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
^ Edmonds, Ellen (2018-04-17). "Double Digits Means Double Trouble for Vehicle Breakdowns". AAA Newsroom. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Edmonds, Ellen (2016-07-20). "Despite Vehicle Advances, Break Downs at Record High". AAA Newsroom. Retrieved 2022-11-21.

External links[edit]

[1] "Breakdown Definition: 529 Samples". Law Insider. Retrieved 2022-11-23.

[:0-2] Edmonds, Ellen (2015-10-08). "Roadside Breakdowns Preventable with Proper Maintenance, Finds AAA". AAA Newsroom. Retrieved 2022-11-21.

[3] Edmonds, Ellen (2018-04-17). "Double Digits Means Double Trouble for Vehicle Breakdowns". AAA Newsroom. Retrieved 2022-11-21.

[:2-4] Edmonds, Ellen (2016-07-20). "Despite Vehicle Advances, Break Downs at Record High". AAA Newsroom. Retrieved 2022-11-21.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{short description|Mechanical failure}}
-{{refimprove|date= September 2016}}
 [[File:London Feb 10 2008 CoS protest AB 13.JPG|thumb|right|300px|An overheated [[Vauxhall Carlton]] stopped on [[Tottenham Court Road]], [[London]]]]
 [[File:Southern Vectis 3362 HW54 DCO breakdown at Newport bus station exit.jpeg|thumb|right|300px|A broken down [[Plaxton Pointer|Plaxton Pointer 2]] bodied [[Dennis Dart SLF]] in [[Newport, Isle of Wight|Newport]], [[Isle of Wight]]]]
 [[File:Broken down yellow cab-type taxi in NYC 2009.jpg|thumb|300px|A broken down [[Ford Crown Victoria]] in New York city in 2009]]
-A vehicle '''breakdown''' is the mechanical failure of a [[motor vehicle]] in such a way that the underlying problem prevents the vehicle from being operated at all, or impedes the vehicle's operation so much, that it is very difficult, nearly impossible, or else dangerous to operate. Vehicle breakdowns can occur for a large number of reasons. Depending on the nature of the problem, the vehicle may or may not need to be [[tow truck|towed]] to an [[automobile repair shop]].
+A vehicle '''breakdown''' is a mechanical or electrical failure of a [[motor vehicle]] in such a way that the underlying problem prevents the vehicle from being operated or impedes the vehicle's operation so significantly that it is very difficult, nearly impossible, or else dangerous to operate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Breakdown Definition: 529 Samples |url=https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/breakdown |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=Law Insider |language=en}}</ref>
+Vehicle breakdowns have various causes. Depending on the severity, the vehicle may need to be [[tow truck|towed]] to an [[automobile repair shop]] or fixed on-site by [[roadside assistance]] or a [[Auto mechanic#Types & Specialties|mobile mechanic]]. With other problems, the driver may be able to operate the vehicle seemingly normally for some time, but the vehicle will need an eventual repair. Many vehicle owners with personal economic difficulty or a busy schedule may wait longer than they should to get necessary maintenance or repairs made to their vehicles, thereby increasing their chances of a breakdown, inducing further damage to the vehicle, or else causing more danger.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Edmonds |first=Ellen |date=2015-10-08 |title=Roadside Breakdowns Preventable with Proper Maintenance, Finds AAA |url=https://newsroom.aaa.com/2015/10/roadside-breakdowns-preventable-with-proper-maintenance-finds-aaa/ |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=AAA Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref>
-A "breakdown" is also referred to when a car stalls on the road.  A vehicle stalls for a number of reasons ranging from a dead car battery, [[fuel pump]], poor quality fuel, faulty electrical wiring, fuel pressure problems, overlooked leaks or missing caps.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why Does My Car Stall?|url=http://desertoasisautorepair.com/my-car-stalls/|website=Desert Oasis Auto Repair}}</ref>
+==Severity==
-==Levels of breakdown==
+{{unreferenced section|date=May 2023}}
-There are various levels of a vehicle's disability.
+There are various levels of a vehicle's disability:
-===Total breakdown===
+===Total Breakdown===
-A ''total breakdown'' is when the vehicle becomes totally immobile and cannot be driven even a short distance to reach a repair shop, thereby necessitating a [[towing|tow]]. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including complete engine failure, or a dead starter or battery, though a dead battery may be able to be temporarily resolved with a [[Jump start (vehicle)|jump start]].
+* A ''total breakdown'' is when the vehicle becomes totally immobile and cannot be driven even a short distance, thereby necessitating a [[towing|tow]] to an [[auto mechanic]], or an on-site repair from [[roadside assistance]] or a [[Auto mechanic#Types & Specialties|mobile technician]].
-When a total breakdown occurs, the motorist may be able to have the service paid for by a [[roadside assistance]] plan. This may be available through an organization like [[American Automobile Association|AAA]], the vehicle's manufacturer, the [[vehicle insurance]] policy, or in some cases, another service the driver subscribes to, such as a [[mobile phone]]
-===Partial breakdown===
+===Partial Breakdown===
-In a ''partial breakdown'', the vehicle may still be operable, but its operation may become more limited or more dangerous, or else its continued operation may contribute to further damage to the vehicle. Often, when this occurs, it may be possible to drive the vehicle to a garage, thereby avoiding a tow.
+* In a ''partial breakdown'', the vehicle may still be operable, but its operation may become more limited or more dangerous, or else its continued operation may contribute to further damage to the vehicle. When this occurs, it may be possible to drive the vehicle to a [[Automobile repair shop|repair shop]] or a safer location for a [[Automobile repair shop#Online and Mobile|mobile repair]], thereby avoiding a tow.
-Some common causes of a partial breakdown include [[Thermal shock|overheating]], [[brake]] failure, or frequent [[Stall (engine)|stalling]].
+== Causes ==
-===Top 10 causes of car breakdowns in 2014===
+In 2014, The [[Royal Automobile Club]] (RAC) attended almost two million breakdowns in the United Kingdom. Battery problems were the most common cause of a car breakdown, accounting for more than 450,000 call-outs.
+=== Top 10 Causes ===
-In 2014 The [[Royal Automobile Club]] (RAC) attended almost 2 million breakdowns in the United Kingdom. Battery problems were the most common cause of a car breakdown, accounting for more than 450,000 call-outs.
+# Battery
+# Wheel change
+# Fuel
+# Mechanical problems
+# Puncture (no spare)
+# Electrical problems
+# Charging electric vehicles
+# Clutch
+# Ignition
+# Cooling, heating, ventilation and air conditioning
+== Contributing Factors ==
-The top 10 causes of car breakdown were:
+Roadside assistance data collected, analyzed and published by [[American Automobile Association|AAA]] provides the following statistical insights into vehicle breakdowns in the United States and Canada:
+=== Age ===
-* Battery
-* Wheel change
-* Fuel
-* Mechanical problems
-* Puncture (no spare)
-* Electrical problems
-* Charging electrical vehicles
-* Clutch
-* Ignition
-* Cooling, heating, ventilation and air conditioning
+* Vehicles ten years and older are twice as likely to end up immobilized on the side of the road compared to newer vehicles, and the odds of needing a tow quadruples.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edmonds |first=Ellen |date=2018-04-17 |title=Double Digits Means Double Trouble for Vehicle Breakdowns |url=https://newsroom.aaa.com/2018/04/double-digits-means-double-trouble-vehicle-breakdowns/ |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=AAA Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref>
-With other problems, the driver may be able to operate the vehicle seemingly normally for some time, but the vehicle will need an eventual repair. These include grinding brakes, rough idle (often caused by the need for a [[tune-up]]), or poor shock absorption. Many vehicle owners with personal economic difficulty or a busy schedule may wait longer than they should get necessary repairs made to their vehicles, thereby increasing damage or else causing more danger.
+* Vehicles fewer than five years old have a higher proportion of tire, key and fuel-related issues than older vehicles.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Edmonds |first=Ellen |date=2016-07-20 |title=Despite Vehicle Advances, Break Downs at Record High |url=https://newsroom.aaa.com/2016/07/despite-vehicle-advances-break-downs-at-record-high/ |access-date=2022-11-21 |website=AAA Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref>
+* One in five service calls for a newer vehicle required a tow to a repair facility.<ref name=":2" />
+* Vehicles between six and ten years old have the highest proportion of battery-related issues, as most batteries have a three-to-five-year life.<ref name=":2" />
+=== Maintenance ===
+* Millions of roadside breakdowns each year could be prevented with basic vehicle maintenance.<ref name=":0" />
+* 35 percent of Americans have skipped or delayed service or repairs that were recommended by a mechanic or specified by the factory maintenance schedule.<ref name=":0" />
+=== Region ===
+* Drivers in the West experienced the most breakdowns, followed by the South, the Northeast and the Midwest.<ref name=":2" />
+=== Season ===
+* Roadside assistance calls peak in the summer (8.3 million) followed by winter (8.1 million), fall (7.8 million) and spring (7.7 million).<ref name=":2" />
+== Coverage ==
+When a breakdown occurs, the motorist may be able to have the tow and/or repair covered by a third party:
+=== Factory Warranty ===
+* A vehicle manufacturer's [[warranty]] often covers the repair and subsequent towing expense if the root cause of the repair is deemed warrantable and is repaired at a certified dealership.
+=== Extended Warranty/Service Contract ===
+* A [[Extended warranty|service contract]] is a type of extended warranty (although may not be legally considered a true warranty) that is typically available for purchase at the time of the vehicle sale and usually includes roadside assistance.
+=== Insurance ===
+* An [[Vehicle insurance|auto insurance]] policy provides liability coverage for any damage caused by a vehicle, however, some comprehensive policies also cover repairs, roadside assistance services, tow and rental expenses.
+=== Roadside Assistance ===
+* A [[roadside assistance]] plan may be available for purchase through club membership or in some cases, as an add-on service from another subscription, such as a [[mobile phone]].
 ==See also==
-* [[Emergency road service]]
-* [[Vehicle recovery]]
-* [[Tow truck]]
 * [[Automobile repair shop]]
+* [[Auto mechanic#Types & Specialties|Mobile mechanic]]
-* [[Battery (electricity)|Battery]]
+* [[Roadside assistance]]
+* [[Tow truck]]
 * [[Car insurance]]
 * [[Car warranty]]
+* [[Extended warranty]]
 ==References==
 {{Reflist}}
 ==External links==
 {{wikibooks|Automobile Repair}}
-[[Category:Automobile maintenance]]
+[[Category:Motor vehicle maintenance]]
 [[de:Betriebsstörung#Stra.C3.9Fenverkehr]]
-[[es:Avería]]