Burning Smell From Your Car? What It Could Be

Burning plastic or electrical smell

Can be a wiring fault or an overheated component. If you see smoke from the dash or bonnet, stop, switch off and get out of the car.

Oil leaking onto the hot exhaust. Look for drips and check the oil level.

Coolant leaking. Watch the temperature gauge and check for green, pink or orange drips.

Often a slipping clutch or brakes that have overheated or are dragging. Feel for heat from one wheel after parking (without touching the disc).

Can come from the catalytic converter or a fuel mixture fault.

Smoke, an electrical burning smell, or the temperature gauge rising: stop safely, switch off and do not keep driving. Other smells: book in soon.

General guidance only, not a diagnosis. If in doubt, do not drive it and have it inspected. In an emergency, call 111.

Is a smell after new brakes normal?

A light smell for the first few drives while new pads bed in can be normal. A strong smell from one wheel is not.

What should I put in the job?

What it smells like, where it seems to come from, when it happens, and any smoke or warning lights.