Car likely to breakdown

Author
Discussion

Dixy

Original Poster:

2,915 posts

204 months

Wednesday 17th October 2018
quotequote all
Is it an offence to drive a car knowing it is likely to suffer mechanical failure.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,230 posts

234 months

Wednesday 17th October 2018
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Plenty of TVR drivers would get convicted if that were so hehe


Vanordinaire

3,701 posts

161 months

Wednesday 17th October 2018
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Hope not.

RedWhiteMonkey

6,806 posts

181 months

Wednesday 17th October 2018
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Not specifically as any car could break down at any time. If you mean driving a car that is evidently not road worthy then there could be consequences.

OverSteery

3,586 posts

230 months

Wednesday 17th October 2018
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Dixy said:
Is it an offence to drive a car knowing it is likely to suffer mechanical failure.
This is an anticipated failure that at the time has no effect on the road-worthiness of the vehicle?

I suspect joining a motorway without a reasonable expectation of completing the journey may be. ISTR that prosecution are possible for running out of fuel on the M'way

Byker28i

58,855 posts

216 months

Wednesday 17th October 2018
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2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Plenty of TVR drivers would get convicted if that were so hehe
My most reliable car, now our Mazda has three times now come back from the dealer in pseudo limp mode, i.e. they shagged it and handed it back

PorkInsider

5,877 posts

140 months

Wednesday 17th October 2018
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Byker28i said:
My most reliable car, now our Mazda has three times now come back from the dealer in pseudo limp mode, i.e. they shagged it and handed it back
Not having attempted to drive it, and therefore not having given it the opportunity to break down, does not count as reliability.

biggrin

julianc

1,984 posts

258 months

Wednesday 17th October 2018
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2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Plenty of TVR drivers would get convicted if that were so hehe
Cheeky so and so! Had my TVR for more than 15 years, never let us down.

That's now tempting fate... biggrin

Mandalore

4,165 posts

112 months

Wednesday 17th October 2018
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It can certainly be expensive, if you breakdown on a toll road like Dartford tunnel and they have to tow you out at your expense.

But if you are simply talking about an engine failure and not a suspension component held on by a cable tie, you shouldn't contravene any laws.


Dixy

Original Poster:

2,915 posts

204 months

Wednesday 17th October 2018
quotequote all
The car has a turbo boost pressure control fault that shows a check engine light on the dash and goes in to limp home mode. Switch off and back on and it resets for a while.

lyonspride

2,978 posts

154 months

Thursday 18th October 2018
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If you were to be involved in an accident, you could faces charges on the basis of the vehicle being unroadworthy and you may evenn find your insurance nul and void.... BUT they'd have to prove you knew there was a problem.

boyse7en

6,671 posts

164 months

Thursday 18th October 2018
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Dixy said:
The car has a turbo boost pressure control fault that shows a check engine light on the dash and goes in to limp home mode. Switch off and back on and it resets for a while.
How fast will it go in limp mode? My diesel Saab once went into limp mode near heathrow and I had a 250 mile drive home, so went along the A303 instead of the M4. It would do 50mph, just a bit slow on the hills if you lost momentum, so didn't interfere too badly with any other traffic.

sgtBerbatov

2,597 posts

80 months

Thursday 18th October 2018
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I thought it was illegal to drive a car knowing you were going to run out of fuel, not an actual mechanical failure?

Uppy89

71 posts

101 months

Thursday 18th October 2018
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sgtBerbatov said:
I thought it was illegal to drive a car knowing you were going to run out of fuel, not an actual mechanical failure?
I don't think the actual offence is running out of petrol but you can get a ticket or reported for driving without due care and attention or even obstructing the highway.

kowalski655

14,599 posts

142 months

Thursday 18th October 2018
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If you sputter to a halt despite the gauge telling you there are 20 mikes left,as had happened to me in my old Renault, would that be a defence?
I know guages are not exact but by how much margin would you be allowed?

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,230 posts

234 months

Thursday 18th October 2018
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julianc said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Plenty of TVR drivers would get convicted if that were so hehe
Cheeky so and so! Had my TVR for more than 15 years, never let us down.

That's now tempting fate... biggrin
It was tongue in cheek. biggrin

7795

1,070 posts

180 months

Friday 19th October 2018
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Dixy said:
Is it an offence to drive a car knowing it is likely to suffer mechanical failure.
...even if it was, how would anyone know Dixy from PH knew in advance or even thought it might be an issue...?

mac96

3,715 posts

142 months

Friday 19th October 2018
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boyse7en said:
Dixy said:
The car has a turbo boost pressure control fault that shows a check engine light on the dash and goes in to limp home mode. Switch off and back on and it resets for a while.
How fast will it go in limp mode? My diesel Saab once went into limp mode near heathrow and I had a 250 mile drive home, so went along the A303 instead of the M4. It would do 50mph, just a bit slow on the hills if you lost momentum, so didn't interfere too badly with any other traffic.
That's a good question. I have experienced limp home mode in two cars- Alfa 156- about 50mph, fine, and Mazda RX8- 15 to20 mph on the flat, first gear and walking pace uphill- dangerous.
On the other hand, the Mazda was cured with a new battery and was fine afterwards, whereas the Alfa was never the same again in spite of 'repairs'.

Red 4

10,744 posts

186 months

Friday 19th October 2018
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Dixy said:
Is it an offence to drive a car knowing it is likely to suffer mechanical failure.
Vague question - vague answer. It depends ...