How to spot problems with your car before it gets costly

Spongy brakes, a stiff steering wheel and excessive vibrations are among the multiple signs that your car could be heading for a break down, warns carhiremarket.com, which has launched a guide on the top car problems to look out for to save hefty garage costs and insurance premiums.

The guide from car hire comparison site Carhiremarket.com is ideal for all, including first time drivers, and sets out the early warning signs that your motor is feeling under the weather. Perfect for the glove compartment, the guide highlights the 7 small problems that could turn into big issues if you choose to ignore the first warning signs.

The full version of the “Drive Safe, Spend Safe” guide is available to download from Carhiremarket.com. Tips include:

Spongy brake pedals - If your brake pedal easily reaches the floor and feels soft, this could be a sign that you have little brake fluid or there is an air leak in the system

Stiff steering wheel - In modern cars this could be the result of a leak in the power steering and has the potential to be extremely expensive if left untreated. Power steering fluid can leak out to the underneath of the car, so check for any obvious signs

Excessive vibrations - A vibration that appears above a certain speed should point you in the direction of the wheels, driveline and suspension. A vibration or noise that only occurs when accelerating or coasting typically indicates a problem in the drive line.

Andrew Shorrock, Marketing Manager at carhiremarket.com, comments: “Ignoring nagging signs of a fault can leave drivers with bigger costs in the long run. Young drivers in particular could be forgiven for not wanting to take a trip to the garage for fear of the costs involved but delaying could just cause more financial damage. We wanted to highlight some of the common alarm bells to help drivers of all ages drive safely and save money, whether in their own car or the sporty run-around they have rented for a holiday.”

For more information and to get the best deal on car hire, visit carhiremarket.com.