The festive season often involves a lot more time spent on the road, travelling to holiday destinations, social gatherings, or family. Unfortunately, not every road trip goes according to plan, and there may come a time when you find yourself with a broken-down car. We’re here to guide you through the immediate steps you must take if your car breaks down. 

Move To Safety

Whether your engine is giving trouble, you’ve been in an accident, you’ve got a flat tyre, or if your car is on the verge of breaking down, your priority is pulling over somewhere safe. You don’t want to break down in the middle of the road, where you could be involved in a severe accident. Pull into the emergency lane and try to position the vehicle as far off the road as safely possible. 

Put Your Hazard Lights On

Once you’ve moved to safety, engage your hazard lights to let passing cars know you’re stationary. This is a crucial step to take, whether it’s day or night. 

Assess The Situation

Once you’re safely parked, could you try to determine the nature of the problem? Is it a flat tyre, an engine issue, or something else? Your observation can be helpful later for roadside assistance or mechanics.

Stay in the Vehicle if on a Busy Road

If you’re on a busy road or highway, staying inside your car with the doors locked is often safest. Exiting your vehicle can be dangerous in high-traffic areas or if the area is known to be a hot spot for crime. 

If you have broken down near a dangerous area, you should always try to get the car to a safe, public location—even if this means driving slowly on the rim of your tyre with hazard lights on. Your safety is the number one priority. 

Call for Help 

Contact roadside assistance, a tow service, or emergency services if necessary. They will be able to get to you faster than friends or family and will be able to ensure your safety.

Set Up Safety Signals if it is Safe to Do So 

If it’s safe to exit your vehicle, set up a warning triangle or safety cones if you have them. This should be done cautiously, especially on busy roads.

Be Cautious with Strangers

If someone stops to offer help, you should always err on the side of caution. While there are plenty of good samaritans out there, there are also opportunistic criminals who may exploit your vulnerable situation to rob you. If you haven’t already done so, it’s often safer to stay in your vehicle and ask them to call for help. 

The Aftermath

You survived to tell the tale, but now that your car has been towed away, you’re beginning to realise the cost of repairs is more than the car is even worth! What do you do if you need to sell a broken-down car?

While scrap yards and private sales are the obvious options, you can end up getting more for your damaged car by selling to a salvage auctioneer. They will take care of all the nitty gritty while offering you a fair cash offer to help you get back on your feet, faster. Sell your broken-down car fast for cash!