Ignoring unusual car sounds adds £400 to repair costs

18th July 2025

A new study by Autotrader has revealed that most drivers fail to identify the unusual car sounds caused by even the most common faults.

The study found that misdiagnosing unusual noises under the bonnet or ignoring them can lead to unnecessary repair costs of more than £400.

Autotrader asked 2,000 UK drivers to listen to sound recordings of mechanical car faults and diagnose the issue, with 66% failing to identify common faults such as worn brake pads and seized engines.

The study also found that low power steering fluid levels and wheel bearing damage were the hardest to recognise, both of which can lead to steering failure if left unchecked.

Repair costs

Ignoring unusual sounds adds an average of £400 to the repair bill, with one in five drivers having to pay more than £700 extra to fix problems that were left unresolved.

But despite this, more than a third of those surveyed (35%) admitted they had not addressed strange sounds coming from their cars and this had led to more serious issues. A similar number (36%) said they’d be willing to wait more than a month before taking action, with less than half (47%) saying they would seek professional help immediately.

Strange noises

Erin Baker, Auto Trader’s editorial director, said: “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.”