📄 Understanding Car Fire Incidents: Causes, Statistics & Safety Facts

Car fires can be alarming when they happen, but knowing what really causes them and how often they occur can help you stay safer and better informed.

In the UK, approximately 100,000 car fires occur every year, covering everything from minor smouldering incidents to more serious vehicle engulfments.

How Often Do Car Fires Happen?

Of these annual car fires, around 19,000 are classified as serious road vehicle fires. Vehicle fires account for nearly a third of all primary fires attended by fire services in the UK.

Car fires can result from simple faults or escalate into dangerous emergencies, depending on how quickly they are detected and addressed.

Main Causes of Car Fires

There are several common underlying causes that lead to vehicle fires:

• Mechanical and fuel system failures: Fuel leaks or overheating components can ignite flammable liquids.
• Electrical faults: Short circuits, damaged wiring, or other electrical system failures can start fires.
• Collisions: Crashes that rupture fuel lines or impact electrical systems frequently lead to fires.
• Deliberate or malicious actions: In many cases, car fires are started intentionally, such as through vandalism or fraudulent insurance claims.

Electric Vehicles vs Petrol and Diesel Cars

Electric vehicles (EVs) can and do catch fire, but the risk is statistically much lower than for petrol or diesel vehicles. For example, only a small number of EV fire incidents have been recorded — just a few hundred over a multi‑year period — compared with thousands of fires involving internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.

This difference in frequency is largely because traditional petrol and diesel vehicles carry highly flammable fuel onboard.

What Makes EV Fires Different?

When EV fires do occur, they are often linked to the vehicle’s high‑voltage battery. Battery fires can involve complex chemical reactions and sometimes reignite after initial suppression, making them harder for emergency crews to tackle.

Despite these challenges, the overall chance of an EV catching fire remains significantly lower than with petrol or diesel cars.

Car Fire Safety Tips

Whether you drive a petrol car, diesel vehicle, hybrid, or EV, taking sensible precautions can reduce the risk of fire:

• Keep up with regular vehicle maintenance and inspections.
• Address warning lights, strange smells, or fluid leaks promptly.
• Avoid parking over dry grass or other flammable materials.
• Park in well‑lit, secure areas to reduce the chance of vandalism.

Final Thoughts

Car fires result from a mix of mechanical faults, electrical issues, collisions, and, in some cases, deliberate actions. Understanding the statistics and causes behind these incidents — as well as how electric vehicles compare with traditional cars — helps drivers make smarter choices and keeps everyone safer on the road.

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