 are extremely popular at the minute, with many people valuing the fuel efficiency of an 

 combined with the range and convenience of an internal combustion engine. 

But as with any car, problems can arise. So what are some of the common problems found in hybrids? We take a look at the top 7 below. 

As one of the defining parts of a hybrid vehicle, 

 is something every owner should be aware of. Over time, the cells can break down and reduce its performance, this happens through excessive usage, heat and general wear and tear. 

Hybrid batteries can be repaired, but the most cost-effective solution is usually to 

 with an off-the-shelf replacement, either new or reconditioned. This can rejuvenate a tired hybrid back to peak efficiency and performance. 

Whilst not a mechanical failure per se, those who have fallen victim to this crime would argue manufacturers of 

 should be doing more to protect the catalytic converter from theft. 

The converters in hybrids are more valuable than traditional 

, as they contain higher amounts of precious metals. This is the reason for certain hybrid cars being targeted. Catalytic converter theft can cost over £1,500 to fix, for more information read our guide to preventing catalytic converter theft. 

Cars are already very complex, with most using two or three 

 to control everything from the engine to the audio system. These systems use a multitude of sensors which can fail and throw up error messages, even if the car functions normally. 

Hybrid powertrains usually add in another one or two control units, one to manage the powertrain, and one to monitor the batteries. Again these use various sensors for temperature, speed and more. 

Any deviation in these sensor readings can cause dire warning messages on the dash, causing any driver to worry and spend time and money getting their car inspected. 

Hybrid cars contain all of the usual components of a 

, in addition to a heavy electric motor and battery. More weight in a car means higher forces and wear and tear on components such as brakes and tyres. 

Some of this problem is negated by manufacturers specifying higher load rating tyres, and utilising regenerative braking to reduce 

 wear, but it is still a consideration to make. 

The aforementioned increase in weight not only affects brake and tyre wear but also vehicle dynamics and handling. Whilst this isn’t a problem 95% of the time, it can have an effect on the stability and safety of a car in an emergency situation. 

The “moose test” is a type of vehicle test popularised by a Swedish car magazine, in which a car is swerved violently from side to side, as if avoiding an animal in the road. Most cars pass this test, but many 

 and in particular hybrid SUVs fail, with the sheer weight of them being the main factor. 

Another consequence of hybrid cars being heavier is more suspension wear, components such as bushes, joints and track rod ends take more load the heavier the car is. This can result in them needing more frequent changes compared to the 

Fuel efficiency is often one of the most touted benefits of a 

, but official MPG figures are quoted as a mix of motorway and city driving. The latter hybrids are quite good at, as they do not waste fuel whilst idling, and the inefficiencies of regular braking are reduced by the use of regenerative braking technology. 

However, on longer journeys, the hybrid battery can quickly become depleted, as less braking equals less regenerative charging, once the hybrid system is not being used, the petrol or diesel engine is then no better than a normal car, with the added weight fuel efficiency can actually be worse than a modern diesel. 

Choose Bumper For Interest-Free Car Repairs 

If your car, hybrid, petrol or diesel, needs work doing, Bumper offers zero-interest car repairs from one of its many approved garages across the UK. To get started, find a 

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

7 häufige Probleme mit Hybridautos

We take our cars to a garage to get them fixed or at least diagnosed, the last thing anyone wants is for the problem to get worse, or a completely new issue to arise. Unfortunately, that can sometimes happen, be that by 

In this blog, we’ll explore what your best course of action is in this situation, including how to approach the mechanic or garage, and what your legal rights are. 

Depending on the type of both the initial problem, and the new one, there are many reasons why your car feels, 

 or appears worse after a mechanic has done work on it. 

Without any error on the mechanic’s part, repairing one component can worsen or create a problem with another. This is most likely to happen if your car has done 

A great example of this is when working with the 

 on an older or high mileage car, the bolts that are used to hold everything together are subject to near-constant dirt, water, and road salt in the UK. 

So then, when removing a suspension arm bolt to change a 

 or bush, the bolt could snap, resulting in; the cost of a new bolt at best, or a new hub or suspension arm if the broken bolt cannot be removed. 

1. Fixing One Problem Highlighted A Different One 

Mechanical components on cars wear reasonably uniformly, with

 all taking a hit every time you drive, especially with the state of many of the UK’s roads. 

In some cases, changing worn-out parts can highlight other problems that were already there, but were not easily noticed. 

Whilst the first few points we’ve mentioned are physical or mechanical consequences of the complexity of modern cars, it is also possible that the mechanic simply messed up the job. 

Whether it be through pressure to work quickly, or complacency, something as simple as a spring clip being forgotten when changing brakes, can have serious ramifications. 

At the end of the day, mechanics are human, and we can all make mistakes, but this is not to say that they should be ignored or not made-good by the garage or mechanic. 

It is possible that shortly after your car was repaired, something completely unrelated also broke, stranger things have happened, and as we’ve mentioned, replacing parts can put stress on the other worn components in the system. 

Consider the nature and physical location of the problem, if you have just had new 

, and now your engine is refusing to start, there’s probably no correlation. 

If however you notice a lack of braking power, or a strange grinding noise, it’s fair to suspect the garage’s workmanship.

Your Consumer Rights When Having Your Car Repaired 

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the garage has 

“an obligation to use reasonable care and skill when completing any repairs, servicing or investigations on your car”

. What constitutes unreasonable care or skill will depend on the fault and situation in general. 

The law isn’t too specific on what constitutes poor service, but we’d consider the following to be grounds for concern: 

What To Do When A Mechanic Makes Your Car Worse 

Ideally, before the car is sent in for repair, make some notes, pictures or video footage of the nature of the problem. Some garages will offer free checks of 

, suspension etc, which come with a report, this could be useful in diagnosing the issue, even if you take the car elsewhere to be fixed. 

Step 2: Don’t Jump To Accusations or Threats 

The garage or mechanic will be much more likely to help if you’re courteous and cooperative, rather than combative and threatening, even if you’re sure the problem was caused by them. 

Ask them to have another look, as you’ve noticed something new with the car, offering some ideas and information about when the noise or feeling is worse can help the mechanic diagnose the new problem. 

If the garage doesn’t want to help, or cannot find the cause of the problem, it might be time to get a second opinion. This is vital as not only does it get another set of eyes looking at the problem, but it may help to have another professional opinion on record if you need to take further action. 

To do this, seek out a well-reviewed garage, a specialist for your particular make of car would be even better, and ask if they can look over your car, you may have to pay a small fee for this. Some garages offer free

If you have communicated the problem with the original garage and received a professional second opinion, but the mechanic still refuses to accept liability, it might be time to start seeking professional advice. 

There are a few bodies that aim to resolve disputes with car repairs, check if the garage is a member of any of the following: 

If so, contacting them should be your next step, many offer a conciliation service whereby they will take information from both parties (you and the garage) and come to an agreement. 

How To Avoid Dodgy Mechanics In The Future 

Almost all mechanics and garages do not set out to rip off or defraud customers, and many will go out of their way to help if something unexpected happens such as what we've discussed here, they have a reputation to uphold after all. 

To find these garages and avoid getting caught out again, we’d recommend the following: 

To Find an Approved Garage And Split Payments, Use Bumper 

 offers zero-percent financing on car repair payments, which can majorly help with big bills. We also have 

 all over the UK, so you know your vehicle is in good hands. 

What To Do If A Mechanic Made Your Car Worse

¿Y si el mecánico no arregla mi coche?

Was tun, wenn die Werkstatt mein Auto nicht repariert?

Main dealer service centres often get a bad name for being expensive, but does the brand connection make them more trustworthy and professional when repairing your car? We take a look at the pros and cons of using a dealership garage for servicing. 

Dealership or Main Dealer garages are those in connection with a manufacturers car dealership, most dealerships also have a repair garage for servicing, sale preparation and major works. 

Most dealers are run by third party franchises, such as Synter Group, who are authorised dealers and repairers of 

 and many other marques. They are supported by the manufacturer with access to genuine parts and workshop/repair guides. 

The alternative to dealer garages are independents, these cater to any car brand and do not usually have an affiliation with a manufacturer. 

Yes! Dealer mechanics and service centres know everything there is about your model of car, they don’t have to guess or figure out repair procedures, and genuine parts are easily sourced internally. 

Benefits of Servicing Your Car at the Dealership 

Manufacturers don’t want their reputation tarnished by bad workmanship or poor customer experience, so the standards of service received from dealer service centres is usually good. 

Because the service centres are so closely linked to the manufacturers, genuine parts are the only thing that will be fitted to your car. This is to both ensure the work can be warranted, as well as maintaining the genuine parts supply chain for the manufacturer. Either way, it means your car is getting the best parts it can. 

Training and Expertise from The Manufacturer 

Regardless of where the vehicle was originally made, the main dealer mechanics will have access to all the information and training they need to repair them properly. 

Manufacturers create internal guides and workshop manuals that explain the best possible way for a part to be replaced, coming from the engineers that designed it. This saves time and makes sure nothing is missed or repaired improperly. 

, which for some manufacturers is now up to ten years subject to regular servicing with the main dealer, then you’ll want to make sure independent repairs do not invalidate it. 

Many manufacturers will not honour warranties at all if non-dealer mechanics have been used to replace or service the car. 

Modern cars have more computers than ever before, and manufacturers are keen to prevent un-informed or even ill-intentioned mechanics from fiddling with the software that makes them work. Dealer garages will always have the latest, most up to date software to interface with your car. 

Drawbacks to Using a Dealership Mechanic 

Because of the higher levels of training, tools and equipment and in some cases manufacturer fees, dealer garages tend to charge more per hour. This can range from £30 to £90 more per hour than independent garages. 

Whilst it’s generally a good thing that genuine parts are used, as they tend to be of a higher quality, there are some instances where reputable brands make equally as good parts at a fraction of the cost. 

Regardless of these parts’ claimed longevity or quality, main dealer garages will only fit genuine parts, driving the cost of the repair up higher. 

Dealer garages will sell cars every week that need 

 for the next 6-10 years, they also handle any recalls that may crop up. This means a steady stream of work for the mechanics, but it makes it harder to book in your car for repairs. 

In some instances you could be looking at have to book your car a few weeks in advance to get it looked at. 

Should You Use The Main Dealer Garage Or Independent? 

As you can see, there are positives and negatives to using main dealer garages, the main factors being quality vs cost. 

If your car is still in its warranty period, it makes sense to get it repaired at the dealer, having a potential warranty claim in the future declined because you went to a cheaper garage may end up being a false economy. 

On the other hand, if you drive a vehicle over 10 years old, not only will it be out of warranty, but there will be plenty of information out there to help most garages fix the problem, as Information trickles down over the years. 

Specialist independent garages, those that mainly work on one or a few specific brands, may be able to offer a service just as well informed and high quality as the main dealer, at a fraction of the cost. 

If you’re unsure of what garage to take your car to one of

 Bumper’s approved partners all over the UK

 including both independent and dealer garages, what's more you can split the cost of car repairs with interest-free monthly payments.

has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Can You Trust A Dealership Garage For Servicing?

Taking your car to a mechanic always requires a certain amount of trust, both in that they know how to repair your car safely, and that they aren’t going to overcharge or rip you off in the process. 

Most scams in this regard follow a similar pattern or premise, so short of training as a mechanic yourself, the best way to avoid some common scams is to learn about how they work. In this blog, we discuss 17 different car repair scams and how to avoid them. 

1. The garage quoting one price, but charging another

If you aren't sure how much something should cost, it's perfectly fine to ask a garage to provide a quotation before starting any work, but make sure you get this in writing, including parts and labour. 

It is important to note that some car repairs take an unexpected amount of time to complete, for instance, if something else is broken that wasn't visible before disassembly, but a good garage should always confirm this with you before incurring more labour fees. 

2. Charging for parts that haven't been replaced 

This is as simple as it sounds, some very unscrupulous garages may try to con you by charging for work and parts that have not been replaced. To combat this, before the work is approved, ask the garage to keep the old, worn-out parts so you can see them. 

3. Incorrectly claiming you need new brakes 

Brakes are one of the most common parts to get replaced when they don’t need to be. This is because on most cars it is not easy to check the wear without disassembly (unlike tyres) and the thought of having faulty or worn-out brakes is not easy to ignore. 

If you’ve had your brakes done recently - most cars can go at least 25,000 miles between brake pad changes - ask to be shown the part in question, whilst your car is still on the ramp. 

Garages add a markup to parts to cover the cost of sourcing them, but in some cases, these can be disproportionately high. If the price you; 've been charged sounds high, look up comparable prices online for these parts. A reasonable markup would be 10-25%. 

It is important to note that some parts from local motor factories or main dealers will often be more expensive but of higher quality than those found on popular online marketplaces, so be sure to compare like-for-like on brand quality. 

Suspension components such as ball joints and CV joints have rubber boots fitted to prevent dirt from getting in. These being intact is an MOT requirement and as such some unscrupulous garages have been known to “find” a split or tear in the boot whilst inspecting, requiring a replacement. 

Regular air expands and contracts with temperature, meaning the pressure in your tyres will increase as they get warm, and decrease when cold. Nitrogen is sometimes used in racing cars as it expands and contracts less than air. 

Some garages will offer to fill your tyres with Nitrogen, at a much higher price. The fact of the matter is that you don't need nitrogen in your tyres, even when driving a sports or supercar on the road. 

Sometimes new problems crop up whilst the job is being done. Advise the service centre that you want to sign off on any new work that’s needed. Stating the opposite could give some garages the opportunity to charge more than the going rate. 

Your car contains many different fluids, including coolant, brake fluid, engine oil and transmission fluid. Not all of these need flushing at every service, often just replacing and refreshing is sufficient. 

Some manufacturers don’t require flushing some systems at all, so be sure to double-check your manual before being up-sold.

9. Problems found on a free inspection or check-up

A common way for garages to drum up new business is to offer free check-ups of your suspension, brakes or the whole car. Whilst most are legitimate and necessary, it would be easy for the mechanic to flag up work that isn't yet necessary. 

 on what can and can't be repaired when it comes to punctures. Give these regulations a quick browse before taking your tyre to be repaired, as some garages will claim a repairable tyre isn’t, just to get the sale of a new one. 

Air con systems use a compressed gas to work, over time this can leak from the system and need topping up. Some manufacturers recommend doing this every 2 years, but in reality, a new can will be fine for longer than this.

Before agreeing to a regas - especially if it’s added on to other work - check the prices of local specialists who will often pressure check the system free of charge. 

When doing a service or interim service, various fluids will be drained and replaced, such as engine oil, coolant or brake fluid. As with many products, fluid can range from cheap to extremely expensive.

The cost of parts can be researched online and via car parts vendors, but the labour time required to complete a job is much more difficult to know. Some mechanics may add time to a job that wasn’t spent, meaning you pay more for no extra work. 

To mitigate this, ask for a quote before starting work, and get a comparable estimate, including a labour time estimate from a different, ideally specialist garage. 

14. Telling you your car is dangerous and should not be driven

In some cases, this may well be true, but adding pressure to the situation is a common tactic for unscrupulous mechanics to get you to agree to expensive repairs without getting a second opinion, especially as most of us need our cars to get to work. 

Get your car regularly checked and serviced to help with this, a mechanic may well notice problems before they become desperate, giving you time to consider your options and shop around.

15. Taking the car apart before demanding more money

Another high-pressure tactic is when a mechanic tells you they need to fit another expensive component, and they need you to agree right away, as the car is in pieces in their workshop. Whilst this may well be the case, you still have the right to consider your options.

Ask ahead of time if there are any expensive faults that may crop up during a certain job, to get a feel for how trustworthy the mechanic is. 

Wheel alignment or tracking is a vital element to vehicle maintenance but is an easy upsell for a mechanic to charge more than the market rate. Your tracking is done with the car completely assembled, so it won’t usually be cheaper to “have it done whilst you’re here”. 

Check online for a local tyre and tracking company, they will often offer free tracking checks with a printout, and advise their prices online, meaning you won’t get overcharged. 

Yes, wipers are a very important part of keeping your car safe, and they do wear out, but most people - after watching a video online - are capable of changing their own wiper blades, and can buy the same blades from car parts shops for half the cost a garage would charge.

It may feel like every garage is an unscrupulous team of con artists, but that is far from the case, like anything bad word travels faster than good. 

Most mechanics just want to help you on your way and make a fair wage. To avoid getting caught out, choose garages with good Google reviews or those recommended by friends or family. 

 split your bill into interest-free monthly payments.

17 Common Car Repair Scams and Rip-Offs To Watch Out For

In this guide, we explain what vehicle health checks are, what they actually check, how they are carried out and more. 

What is a Vehicle Health Check in the UK? 

Vehicle health checks are carried out by both independent and main dealer garages, with the aim of giving the driver an interim report on the condition of their car, in addition to the 

Vehicle health checks are a great way to keep an eye on your car’s general and mechanical condition, they are not as intensive as an

 but do often cover a few things MOT tests do not. 

Legal Requirements In The UK for Vehicle Health Checks 

Whilst there are no legal requirements for having regular car health checks, keeping your car in a roadworthy condition is a legal requirement. With 

 being carried out yearly, this leaves a large period of time for an issue to develop into something dangerous. 

Differences Between MOT Testing And Vehicle Health Checks 

The primary difference between MOT tests and vehicle checks is that 

 are mandated by law and are required before you can legally tax a vehicle for use on the public road. They test only the systems concerned with the safety of your vehicle, such as 

, body integrity and safety devices such as 

On the other hand, vehicle health checks look at the MOT safety checks alongside others including visual engine condition, and advice on servicing. In summary, your car will not pass or fail a VHC, unlike an MOT. 

There are various advantages to taking your car for a regular vehicle health check. These benefits include: 

Split the cost of vehicle maintenance into monthly payments with 

What's Included In A Vehicle Health Check? 

Whilst they generally don’t use the same testing equipment as an MOT, VHC covers most of the points, varying from garage to garage, the most frequently covered items are: 

What Happens During a Vehicle Health Check? 

Much like an MOT, you can book health checks both online and over the phone. Once you have arrived, the technician will take your keys and put your car on a ramp, this enables them to have a proper look underneath. 

They will then systematically check all components listed above, using various tools and techniques, to look for damage, excessive wear and any other minor issues. Some health checks will include either a road test or the use of brake rollers, but not all do. 

Whilst doing this, the technician will log any findings, these will then be presented to you via a printed report. Many garages use a traffic light system, giving each category a Red, Amber or Green verdict. If serious problems are noticed, the technician will sometimes offer to show or talk through what's needed. 

A typical vehicle health check will take 20 - 30 minutes to complete, plus any time for the technician to inform or explain the findings. 

How To Prepare Your Car For a Vehicle Health Check? 

As there are no pass or fail consequences to a vehicle health check, don’t worry if you don’t have time to prepare, but if you do, we’d advise simply giving the car a clean, to make it easier on the mechanics. 

Simply call a local garage that offers vehicle checks, or make a booking online for a time that suits you. 

Am I Obligated To Have Work Carried Out From a Health Check? 

No, a health check is simply an advisory service, and the garage has no power to prevent your car from being driven away. 

That said, if a serious fault is pointed out and the garage advises spending money then and there, ask to be shown the problem in person, and get a second opinion if you feel pressured. 

How Much Does a Vehicle Health Check Cost? 

Often garages will do health checks on your car for free, especially alongside a service, warranty work or recall visit. If not, most health checks will cost less than £40. 

Now you know all about vehicle health checks, you can cruise with the peace of mind that your car is safe and sound. If your health check raises faults, however, there’s no need to panic, 

 offers zero-percent interest finance on car repairs. 

 with our online tool, and spread the cost of the work over a time frame that suits you. 

Vehicle Health Checks Explained

Like car insurance, breakdown cover is an expense you begrudge paying for until you need it. But with modern cars being that much more reliable and requiring less frequent 

In this blog post we explore breakdown cover in detail, including what types are available, the secondary benefits of having it, and most importantly is it worth the cost or can you afford to ditch it? 

 cover is primarily roadside assistance, where a mobile technician will come to your location should you break down at the side of the road. This could be due to anything from a 

In some cases, the technician will fix the car then and there, but almost all roadside breakdown vans have recovery systems built in to safely tow the car to a local garage or your home, if close enough. 

What Are The Different Types Of Breakdown Cover? 

Breakdown policies are not a one-size-fits-all solution, with most companies offering different levels of coverage. Make sure any comparisons are made like for like, as some companies term their types of cover differently. 

Roadside assistance is a level of cover usually included as a minimum with most providers and means your car will be recovered or fixed from the roadside should you break down. This does not include non-starting issues when your car is at home. 

Roadside policies usually cover the entirety of the UK, but double-check if you live or travel to places such as the Scottish highlands or Channel Islands. 

Roadside recovery is usually capped at a certain distance from where you broke down, e.g. to a 

 within a 10-mile radius, if the nearest garage is further away than this, you may well be charged extra. 

In addition to roadside cover, national recovery includes the towing of your vehicle to anywhere in the country. This would usually be to a garage of your choosing close to home but could be your house instead. 

All companies will differ on how they enforce this, so check carefully before purchasing. 

, but that applies to Europe to, invaluable if you travel or are planning to travel to Europe. 

Again, different companies have different extras included, for example, the AA offers a £500 emergency hotel fund should you need to stop somewhere unplanned. 

Should you break down on your way to an important event, then onward travel cover includes cover for your onward travel expenses. This includes hotel stays, hire cars or taxi fares. 

If you regularly drive long distances to see family or for work, this could save you money and hassle when you need to get to your destination no matter what. 

Most breakdown cover policies specify the person(s) and car to be covered, personal breakdown covers any car you may be driving, regardless of who owns it or why you are driving it. 

Some policies don’t cover things like company-hired hire cars and such, but this could still be handy if you find yourself behind the wheel of a different car every month. 

Most breakdowns happen at the side of the road, mid-journey, but it can also be a huge inconvenience to go out to your car one morning and 

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

Top 7 Problems With Hybrid Cars

What To Do If A Mechanic Made Your Car Worse

Can You Trust A Dealership Garage For Servicing?

17 Common Car Repair Scams and Rip-Offs To Watch Out For

Vehicle Health Checks Explained

Is Breakdown Cover Worth It?

What Is A Balloon Payment On A Car?

Can You Put A Private Number Plate On A Lease Car?