There are few things more concerning than noticing that your car is vibrating and shuddering when you drive. However, if this is something you have noticed, don’t panic; we have outlined the common reasons your car could be vibrating.
Alternatively, if you’re in the market for a new car, running a salvage history check can provide you with peace of mind by confirming that the vehicle is not reported as stolen or declared a written off, giving you greater confidence in the authenticity of your purchase.
Common Reasons Your Car is Vibrating When You Drive
It’s a major source of worry for many people, but often, a vibrating car isn’t necessarily a major systemic issue. Still, checking the cause of the vibrations is integral to ensure you don’t let a serious problem get worse, which could potentially lead to more severe issues down the line.
Tyre Problems
Often, one of the most common causes of a vibrating car is simply because the tyres aren’t quite right. Usually, this will be because they’re out of balance. However, it could also be because the tyres have worn unevenly (putting them off-balance) or otherwise because they’re not properly inflated.
Alternatively, if the tyres aren’t the right shape, are deformed, or have poor rolling resistance, these could also contribute to that horrid vibrating feeling. Of course, tyre issues are among the best causes of a vibrating car. Replacing the tyres for better ones should usually fix the issue.
Wheel Issues
Another significant problem you may notice with your car is damaged wheels. The cause of vibrations due to damaged wheels will often be like the tyres, so issues such as unbalanced or deformed wheels could also be an issue. Another problem you might encounter is wheel runout, which causes the wheels to not follow a perfectly circular rotation.
Steering Challenges
Another major cause of vibrations when driving is due to your steering system. Loose components or leaking power steering reservoirs could cause a shuddery driving experience, leaving it feeling like the car is shaking.
Poor Suspension
Your car’s suspension system (perhaps unsurprisingly) plays a vital role in making each ride smoother. In line with this, if you have noticed that the car is vibrating and little bumps are feeling more pronounced than they should, looking into how well the suspension’s working could really help. Loose or worn suspension components will usually be the most common cause.
Engine Issues
Vibrations aren’t always directly due to poor road surfaces; in some cases, you might find that the car feels like it is vibrating because the engine isn’t working efficiently. Worn engine components can result in an inconsistent supply of power to the vehicle, causing a vibrating sensation for passengers.
Final Thoughts
If your car is vibrating when you drive, there are numerous potential causes for this – and being aware of the possibilities may help you work out which is most likely in your scenario.
Fortunately, if you’re buying a second-hand car, there are ways to check the car is in good condition to start with – and running a car check is one of the most vital. This allows you to determine whether the car has had any past faults in previous MOTs that might increase the risk of it developing an issue.
