A breakdown can happen without warning
A flat battery, warning light, unusual noise or sudden loss of power can leave you unsure about what to do next. The first priority is not the repair. It is keeping yourself, your passengers and other road users safe.
If your vehicle starts losing power, stay calm and look for the safest available place to stop. Avoid sudden movements. Signal early, move as far away from moving traffic as practical and switch on your hazard lights.
Move the vehicle to a safer position
NSW Government guidance recommends finding a safe place such as the road shoulder, emergency stopping lane or breakdown lane, then parking as far left and away from traffic as possible. Keep your hazard lights on. In poor visibility, your parking lights may also help other drivers see you.
If the vehicle is in a dangerous traffic lane, on a blind corner, near a crash, or there is smoke, fire or an immediate risk to life, call emergency services on 000. Do not attempt a roadside inspection where passing traffic puts you at risk.
Stay safe while you wait
Where it is safer to remain inside the vehicle, keep your seatbelt fastened and wait for assistance. Avoid standing between your car and moving traffic. If you must leave the vehicle, move to a protected area away from the road and watch children and pets closely.
Do not crawl under the vehicle or attempt repairs on the traffic-facing side of the car. A minor fault is not worth the risk of working beside fast-moving vehicles.
Check the symptoms without taking risks
Before calling a mechanic, note what happened just before the breakdown. Did the engine stop suddenly? Did the temperature gauge rise? Was there a clicking sound, warning light, burning smell, fluid leak or difficulty steering?
Do not keep driving when the temperature warning is high, the oil-pressure warning remains on, the brake pedal feels unsafe, smoke is present, or the vehicle is making severe grinding or knocking sounds. Continuing may increase damage or create a safety risk.
Information to give a mobile mechanic
When requesting help, provide your exact location or a nearby landmark, your vehicle make and model, registration number, fuel type and a simple description of the problem. Tell the mechanic whether the car starts, whether it can move safely, and whether you are in a secure location.
Clear information helps the mechanic decide what tools or parts may be needed and whether the vehicle is suitable for an on-site repair or should be towed.
Can a mobile mechanic repair the vehicle roadside?
Many starting problems, flat batteries, minor electrical faults and diagnostic issues can be assessed at your location. Some repairs may also be completed at a home or workplace where there is more space and less traffic.
Major engine damage, collision damage, serious fluid leaks, transmission faults or unsafe roadside conditions may require towing to a workshop. A professional assessment should come before any promise that the vehicle can be repaired on-site.
Prepare for future breakdowns
Keep your phone charged and store the business number in your contacts. A torch, high-visibility vest and basic emergency supplies can also be useful. Regular servicing, fluid checks and battery testing may reduce the chance of an unexpected breakdown.
Need assistance in Sydney, Cabramatta, Fairfield, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Bankstown, Parramatta, Auburn, Blacktown, Penrith or St Clair? Contact Mobile Roadside Mechanic and explain your location and vehicle problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I stay inside my car after a breakdown?
It depends on the location. Where remaining inside is safer, keep your seatbelt on and wait for assistance. If there is fire, smoke or another immediate danger, move to a protected location away from traffic.
What should I tell the mechanic?
Provide your exact location, vehicle make and model, registration, symptoms, warning lights and whether the vehicle starts or can be moved safely.
Can every breakdown be repaired roadside?
No. Minor faults may be repaired on-site, but serious mechanical damage or an unsafe location may require towing.