These Mysterious Car Noises Are Costing UK Drivers Up To £400 To Repair
A new study by the car selling experts at Autotrader reveals that whilst confidence under the bonnet is high in the UK, most drivers struggle to diagnose even basic mechanical problems, potentially risking costly repairs and even driving safety.
A mysterious clunk, a sharp hiss, or a rhythmic rattle might seem minor for many motorists, but ignoring these warning signs from a car could end up costing UK drivers £400 or more.
In a sound recognition survey, 2,000 UK drivers were asked to listen to sound recordings of mechanical car faults and diagnose the issue. The results show that while 53% of drivers claim to feel confident in their skills, 66% of drivers misdiagnose common broken car sounds from worn brake pads to a seized engine.
Participants of the study found the sound of low power steering fluid levels and wheel bearing damage the hardest to recognise, two potentially very serious issues that can lead to steering failure if left unchecked. Even the dramatic sound of a seized engine fooled the majority of respondents, with 72% misdiagnosing it, often confusing it with a worn wheel bearing.
Autotrader has published a guide to broken car sounds to help drivers identify mechanical issues by ear: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/sell-my-car/broken-car-sounds/
Diagnosis Delays Can Cost Hundreds
Ignoring strange car sounds isn’t just a gamble with safety, it’s a surefire way to incur unnecessary costs. More than a third of drivers (35%) admitted to ignoring a mechanical issue that later escalated into something far more serious. This tendency to delay was notably more prevalent among men, who were twice as likely as women to postpone repairs.
The financial consequences were significant. On average, these delays cost drivers an additional £400 in repairs, money that could have been saved with earlier intervention. And for some, the price tag was even steeper: one in five motorists said they ended up spending over £700 to fix a problem they initially chose to ignore.
Confidence vs. Competence
Confidence among drivers in identifying broken car issues is high but often misplaced. While 64% of men believe they can diagnose a car issue based purely on sound, only 41% of women feel the same. Age plays a similar role, with 74% of drivers aged 25–35 claiming high diagnosis confidence, compared to just 37% of drivers aged over 55.
Mercedes-Benz drivers emerge as the most self-assured motorists when it comes to diagnosing broken car sounds, with 80% claiming they can identify mechanical issues simply by listening to their car.
However, it is actually BMW owners who outperform other drivers when it comes to diagnosing a car fault by ear. The study shows that on average BMW drivers identify more faulty sounds correctly (eight out of 10 issues) than Mercedes-Drivers, who only identified five of the 10 issues correctly.
Top 5 Most Accurate Drivers by Car Brand
Volkswagen drivers were particularly adept at recognising issues like a loose exhaust shield, with 50% correctly identifying the fault. In contrast, Chevrolet drivers scored the lowest overall, especially in detecting worn brake pads, with just 27% answering correctly. They were also the least likely to visit a garage when something sounded off, with only 16% saying they’d seek immediate professional help.
From DIY to Ignoring: How drivers react to mysterious car sounds
When suspicious sounds arise, UK drivers respond in markedly different ways. Nearly half (47%) say they would seek professional help immediately, prioritising safety and expert opinion. However, 36% confessed they’d be willing to wait as long as a month before taking action, potentially giving a minor issue time to snowball.
The data also revealed stark contrasts between different driver demographics. Mercedes-Benz owners were the quickest to respond to problems, while Audi drivers were the most laid-back, with nearly 29% saying they’d wait more than a week before doing anything, longer than any other group surveyed.
This study shows that even the most confident drivers can be stumped by a strange noise under the hood. Misdiagnosing car issues isn’t just inconvenient; it can be costly and even dangerous. The earlier you address an odd noise in your car the better, 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.
To access the full study, and a useful guide for identifying common car faults through sound, visit: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/sell-my-car/broken-car-sounds/
Methodology
This study was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Autotrader. A nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK drivers aged 17+ were surveyed between 2nd and 7th April 2025. Participants listened to 10 real-world audio clips of mechanical car faults and were asked to identify the issue from a multiple-choice list. Responses to questions about confidence levels, demographic details, and driving behaviours were also collected.
Media Contact
auto-trader-PR@propellernet.co.uk
Follow us on our social channels to keep up with the latest news, insights and company developments.
If you would like to be added to our News & views mailing list, or have any media-related enquiries, please contact our press team:
Sign up to our email alerts service:
Join our news & views mailing list
or submit media-related enquiries:
