ADAC Reports Battery Failures as Leading Cause of Vehicle Breakdowns

The increasing age of vehicles on German roads has led to a rise in breakdowns, as highlighted by the recent findings from the ADAC. In 2024, the automobile club reported that its assistance teams were dispatched over 3.6 million times, marking an increase of nearly 102,100 incidents compared to the previous year, a rise of 2.9%.

Notably, battery-related issues accounted for almost 45% of all breakdowns, followed closely by various motor problems, including malfunctioning sensors. The average age of registered cars in Germany has reached 10.6 years as of January, reflecting a significant trend, as vehicles were typically younger than ten years until 2021. This aging vehicle population is contributing to the uptick in breakdowns.

In addition to the rising number of breakdowns, ADAC has also seen an increase in its membership numbers over the years. The record for the highest number of breakdowns in a single day was set on January 9, during an exceptionally cold spell, with over 19,700 incidents recorded. Furthermore, electric vehicles are not exempt from these issues, with nearly 43,700 calls for assistance coming from electric car drivers, representing a staggering 46% increase from the prior year. Similar to their combustion engine counterparts, nearly half of these breakdowns were due to defective starter batteries.

The implications of these findings underscore the importance of regular vehicle maintenance, particularly as many cars on the road age, and highlight the need for drivers to remain vigilant about their vehicle's battery health, regardless of whether they drive traditional gasoline-powered cars or electric vehicles.