Most Common Causes for Roadside Assistance in Sweden Revealed

Roadside assistance calls in Sweden surge by 20% during the summer months of June to August, according to SOS International. July alone sees a 33% increase in incidents. These issues often occur close to home, not just on long summer journeys, highlighting the need for vehicle preparation even for local trips.

“

The most common reasons for needing roadside assistance are everything from engine failure to electrical faults or a flat tire. There are many reasons why you might need roadside assistance, but some you can avoid. Here are things to consider before summer, when more people experience problems on the roads.

Common problems include motor failures (25%), electrical issues (20%), flat tires (18%), and accidents (11%). Newer vehicles, eight years or older, are more susceptible to electronic and 12-volt battery problems. In contrast, older cars more frequently experience motor failures, drivetrain issues, and require towing.

“

The most happen near home. So even those who plan to stay close to home can benefit from preparing the car, so as not to miss out on excursions to the swimming lake or the ice cream place they always used to go to.

SOS International also notes that many calls stem from a lack of understanding about vehicle technology rather than actual malfunctions. They assist callers remotely with issues like restarting a car or manually opening an electric car's charging port. Fuel shortages are rare, accounting for only 0.2% of cases, and 1.5% for electric vehicles, as owners often carry extra fuel or can be assisted remotely.

“

We also receive many calls about technology, but these relate more to a lack of knowledge about the car than to an actual fault with the vehicle. We help these without sending out a tow truck. It can be about guiding car owners to restart their car, electric cars are more computers than cars these days, or for example, manually opening the charging flap.

Riksförbundet M Sverige emphasizes that preventative maintenance and regular servicing are key to avoiding technical problems. Of the 1,943 cases handled by their roadside assistance last year, 1,793 occurred within Sweden, with 150 requiring help abroad.

“

We do, however, make the assessment that it does not happen to electric car owners more often than others, we rather believe that others go to the gas station with a canister. Electric car owners must call for a tow truck every time because you cannot move the car without help.