The Costa del Sol has witnessed a noticeable uptick in car fires over the past few weeks.
At least three vehicles were filmed ablaze on the side of the road over the past month.
While many jumped to blame electric vehicles, the three most recent cars filmed engulfed in flames were strictly petrol or diesel powered.
The cars seen on fire included a Seat Ibiza and a Nissan Terrano. A third vehicle in Malaga appeared to be an old saloon model.
The truth is there are many reasons a car may catch on fire, and they mostly come down to bad maintenance.
One of the biggest causes is a fuel system leak. If there’s a fuel line leak and the vapour contacts a hot surface (like the exhaust or engine), it can ignite.
An overheated engine can also cause oil or coolant to reach ignition temperatures, especially if they leak onto hot parts of the car.
An oil leak can also spark flames if it drops onto hot engine parts, including the exhaust manifold.
Although the recent infernos were not caused by electric vehicles, traditional cars still have electrical systems that can have faulty wiring or short circuits that can cause sparks and fires.
Elsewhere, catalytic converters inside the car can reach several hundred degrees celsius. If flammable materials like dry grass or leaves are stuck underneath the car, they can ignite.
Finally, poorly installed modifications (like turbo kits, audio systems, or lighting) can compromise the integrity of the vehicle’s wiring or fuel system.
The UK’s roadside assistance company RAC last year issued a list of 12 things drivers should check regularly.
