The cold days are coming and with them the risk of car breakdowns: “Repairs can cost hundreds of euros,” warns Carly

Cars in difficulty facing freezing temperatures: Touring notes a sharp increase in repair calls

Every year, Touring observes an increase in interventions during the winter season. “This often leads to unscheduled and costly repairs. During the holidays, battery failures, starting problems and faulty heating and braking systems are common, with costs ranging between €100 and €600.”

Carly, who has developed a box allowing drivers to check the health of their car, has listed the five types of breakdowns that occur most often in winter as well as the cost of repairs, to which must be added the price of troubleshooting.

1. The battery that fails us

This is the breakdown par excellence. With extreme cold, our car batteries are put under severe strain. And the oldest ones end up giving up. “Cold temperatures significantly reduce battery capacity, making starting difficult, especially for older cars,” confirms Carly. “A new battery costs on average between €100 and €400.”

2. The alternator or glow plugs

Diesel cars often experience starting difficulties in winter due to alternator or glow plug failures. “A new alternator costs up to €600, while replacing glow plugs costs around €200.”

3. No more heating or defrosting

In winter, windshields are often covered in ice or snow. Motorists then activate their heating and defrosting. But these systems are sometimes capricious. And motorists are forced to drive in freezing cold, or even leave on foot if the windshield does not thaw. “A faulty heating or defrosting system can be dangerous, especially in snow or ice.” Repairs cost between €150 and €400, Carly estimates.

4. The braking system

Cold and humidity can also cause brake fluid to freeze and accelerate pad wear. Furthermore, it can also cause the handbrake to freeze, making it impossible to move forward. According to Carly, repairs would generally cost between €200 and €600.

5. Coolant freezing

Finally, the fifth most common failure would be related to the freezing of the coolant if the antifreeze mixture is not adjusted. which mainly happens on older models. According to Carly, the repairs would cost between €100 and €250.