Have you ever owned a European car? European car manufacturers are a world leader in producing innovative, luxurious and beloved automobiles.
Cars like Mercedes Benz are a German brand. Or Audi, also German. Volkswagen, BMW, and Renault also grace the automotive world with their existence and are in high demand in countries around the globe.
Some problems seem to be common on most European made cars. In the next lines, I’ll describe some of the most common European car problems and how to avoid them.
Article Summary
Common European Car Problems
The cars are all equally ill, and almost everything we are about to list can happen to non European cars, too. It’s just that Europe is where most of the world’s big car manufacturers are, and all of these manufacturers have demonstrated that they’ve had one or more of the following:
1. Electrical Issues
When a car has an electrical problem, it can be a nightmare. Many European cars, like the Merc or Audi, are technology heavy and have huge electrical systems: climate control, infotainment, inbuilt cruise control and electric windows.
Some of these infotainment systems will allow the car to check its own wear, record how much fuel it has left or switch off the brights when they get too bright.
Some electrical glitches must be addressed ASAP or could lead to new symptoms. For example, if your infotainment case pops on and off (or feels loose) when you turn the car or the wheel, there’s likely a short in a wire that runs to that area, and the module could fail if the issue isn’t promptly addressed.
2. Issues with the Suspension
A car’s suspension system decides how it should interact with the different surfaces beneath it. When you are going over gravel or boulders, the suspension system in your car will break the shocks of designated bumps you drive over by absorbing their force upon impact, then rolling it through to the engine for a less rough ride.
An unfortunate downside of having a great suspension system is that some European cars have problems with their suspension systems.
Their shocks are worn out (which all cars get eventually), some have broken or cracked springs, or they have rubber bushings that are worn out and causing problems.
These things might not sound like a big deal, but they can cause your whole car to rattle and unbolt even more, thus wearing out your tires faster.
3. Engine Problems
While many European car brands have extra power in their engines, everyday engine issues will still happen to them if they are not cared for.
Problems that might arise with your car engine are things such as oil leaks, your car engine can overheat, you might have a problem with your fuel pump, you can have a coolant leak in your radiator, or your timing belt might snap from you not looking after your car engine.
These problems can often vary in degree. For instance, if your timing belt snaps, it can lead to your pistons misfiring because the valves are open, which means the wear to the piston rings can make your cylinder head go if a piece of the piston passes between the valve and the cylinder wall.
Once more, the best way to stop these problems is to ensure you get your car in for its services.
4. Problems with the Brakes
If your brake fails, this might be a dangerous problem for you and the other people in your vehicle. The brakes have worn out over time, so they need to be changed.
The brakes are brake pads and discs. To ensure the brakes are working properly, the brake fluid level should be up, and the brake pads and discs should not be worn so that the pads can not slip or slip over the disc.
Other matters associated with brakes are damaged rotors or brake fluid leaks. If you leak your brake fluid, it might lead to a loss of hydraulic pressure, which can eventually result in your brakes giving out if you press on them.
Doing a regular brake inspection is important. Try to look for your brakes at least once a year and have them replaced if deemed necessary.
5. Transmission Problems
This is the general problem with transmissions. If you look at most European cars, most European cards have more than four gears in the transmission system.
Cars like the Renault Sandero or Duster have given some users the troubling experience of scraping and not engaging when changing gears. Renault isn’t the only one, though.
The symptoms of transmission problems in European cars include slipping gears, difficulty shifting or scraping while trying to shift, so you will feel the scraping noise, and after a while, due to friction, the gearbox emits the smell of burning.
Working on a transmission in a car is complicated. If your transmission is not working correctly, you should have it diagnosed professionally.
Fixing a problem without knowing its root cause is a waste of time. In many cases, these problems can be prevented by maintaining your vehicle properly.
Transmission system maintenance includes flushing to ensure the transmission fluid is clean and at the correct level. Also, servicing your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Final Thoughts
However, because of the probable existence of these common problems, European cars are still considered one of the most luxuriously made high rated cars on the market.
Because these common problems exist, this does not mean that every car is affected by this problem when you choose to buy one.
The simple way to prevent any common issues from arising in your vehicle is by simply having it serviced regularly. Many companies like Car Service Warrington offer specifically European car servicing that will essentially prevent any common issues from taking place.
Thus, your vehicle will be fully equipped and set to function the way it is supposed to, making way for a more performance and reliable vehicle from you.
