Being a car owner comes with occasional issues, but most motorists struggle to identify even the most common issues based on sound alone, leading to delays in getting faults fixed.
New research by Autotrader UK found that despite 53% of drivers claiming they could confidently diagnose vehicle issues, two-thirds, or 66%, misidentify sounds associated with common faults.
The data shows that 35% of motorists also admit to ignoring mechanical issues, leading to more serious problems and more expensive repairs that could have been avoided.
A 2,000-driver sound-recognition survey, wherein participants were played recordings of mechanical faults and asked to identify the problem, most misdiagnosed issues.
According to vehicle technician Hannah Gordon, these misdiagnosed issues are inexpensive to fix early, but become significantly more costly if ignored.
The most commonly missed diagnosis is low power steering fluid, with 82% of participants failing to identify the sound correctly.
Gordon warns that overlooking this issue can become dangerous, as drivers may lose power steering mid-corner, which can happen suddenly and without warning.
“If caught early, it is not very expensive at all; if ignored, costs could escalate significantly, with a replacement steering rack needed,” she adds.
81% of surveyed motorists could not identify the sounds of wheel bearing issues, which are often mistaken for other faults when the vehicle is in motion.
“It can be very difficult to work out where a noise is coming from, as there are so many moving components on a car,” Gordon explains.
“The noise usually occurs when going around a corner, so it can be hard to locate the exact wheel affected.”
If this issue is ignored, it may lead to a wheel becoming detached, so it must be rectified as soon as the noise is heard and identified.
The third issue that at least 72% of participants misidentified was an engine seizure, often caused by low engine oil and can be one of the most expensive misdiagnosed issues.
“Checking the oil and topping it up is quick and cheap. However, a seized engine requires a new replacement,” notes Gordon.
70% of participants misdiagnosed the sounds associated with a loose or worn-out belt, which can be an inexpensive fix if caught early.
“If left, the belt can come off and get stuck around pulleys on the engine. I have seen this happen before when a belt got caught around a pulley and seized the engine,” explains Gordon.
Nearly half of motorists could not identify worn brake pads, which, despite being a relatively inexpensive fix, is dangerous to leave unattended.
What to do about an unusual noise
Once a motorist becomes familiar with their vehicle, they should be able to pick up on unusual noises, even if they cannot identify them.
Gordon advises motorists to take immediate but practical steps when they hear an unusual sound coming from their car.
“As soon as a driver hears a noise, they should check the dashboard to see if any lights have become illuminated. This can give them an idea of what may have happened,” she says.
Drivers should also pay attention to how their vehicle behaves if they hear an unusual noise.
“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,” recommends Gordon.
“If the noise sounds like it’s from the engine, then check all the fluid levels and top up if necessary.”
The safest approach is to have unusual noises and vehicle behaviour investigated by a professional, allowing them to determine whether the car is still drivable.
Erin Baker, car-selling expert at Autotrader UK, commented that the study shows how even the most confident drivers can be stumped by a strange noise, which can be costly and even dangerous.
“The earlier you address an odd noise in your car, the better,” she says
“Not only will it keep your car in top condition when it comes to holding its resale value, but it will also save you money to diagnose and fix it sooner rather than being faced with a costly surprise later down the line.”
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