2min English: Talking About Your Car Problems

Dec 172013

Travel English: Talking About Your Car Problems: You bought a new car and it started giving you trouble from the start? Or your car broke down in the middle of your way to journey. In this lesson, we will learn phrases you may use to talk about your car and related problems.

_______Show Transcript______

The Car Broke Down

Burt: Hey Kevin! Where were you in the morning?

Kevin: Don’t even talk about my morning.

Burt: Why? What happened? Is everything alright?

Kevin: My car broke down today and I had to miss such an important meeting.

Burt: Whoa! What happened to your car?

Kevin: The mechanic said that there was a problem with the radiator.

Burt: So, what now? Did you get it repaired?

Kevin: Not yet, but the mechanic is taking care of it. I’ll get it back by Tuesday.

Burt: So, I wouldn’t worry. It’s not a major problem. But how will you commute till Tuesday?

Kevin: Haven’t thought about it yet.

Burt: Why don’t we share a taxi until you get your car back?

Kevin: Thanks. I think that’s a good idea.

Problem With the Car Battery

Kevin: Where are you Mary?

Mary: I’m home. My car just won’t start.

Kevin: I used to have the same problem with my old car. Did you check the battery?

Mary: Yeah. It was dead in the morning. I called the mechanic to give my car a jump.

Kevin: Well, I guess if you need to jump-start your car, you probably need to buy a new battery.

Mary: What are you saying? I bought this battery just a couple of months ago. I don’t think I should have a problem with it every second day.

Kevin: I guess the dealer sold you an old one. Did he give you any warranty card with it?

Mary: Yes. I suppose.

Kevin: Then call the dealer and ask him to replace it. You are still eligible to claim the warranty.

Mary: All right. Thanks for your help. I’ll call the dealer right now.

Problems With a New Car

Mary: Hi Burt. How is it going with the new car?

Burt: Unfortunately, not too good.

Mary: Why? What happened?

Burt: My brand new car turned out to be a piece of junk.

Mary: What do you mean?

Burt: I got the top model and now it just doesn’t run.

Mary: Didn’t you take a test drive before buying it?

Burt: I did. But at that time it was running just fine. It’s just been a month and it’s given me so many headaches.

Mary: You must contact the dealer. Did you try telling him about the situation?

Burt: I have been trying his number for the past 2 days, but I can’t reach him.

Mary: I’m sorry to say this, but I think you bought a lemon.

Calling Your Dealer to Complain About a Defective Car

Carlson: Carlson, here. How can I help you?

Burt: My name is Burt Andrews. I got a car from your showroom a month ago.

Carlson: Yes, Mr. Andrews. How can I help you?

Burt: The car has been giving me trouble from the start

Carlson: I’m really sorry for the inconvenience Mr. Andrews. Can you please confirm the make and model of the car?

Burt: It’s a YWZA Sports.

Carlson: All right. I’ll send our mechanic to your place in the evening today. He’ll check your car and fix it up, if possible. Otherwise, we’ll replace it. Let me just confirm your address.

Burt: Ok, thank you.

Phrases

My car broke down today and I had to miss such an important meeting.

The mechanic said that there was a problem with the radiator.

My car just won’t start.

I used to have the same problem with my old car. Did you check the battery?

I bought this battery just a couple of months ago. I don’t think I should have a problem with it every second day.

Then call the dealer and ask him to replace it. You are still eligible to claim the warranty.

My brand new car turned out to be a piece of junk.

The car has been giving me trouble from the start.

Vocabulary

Broke Down : Something that broke down means something that is not in working order.
Meeting : An assembly of people for discussion or entertainment.
Mechanic : Mechanic is a person who repairs and maintains machinery.
Radiator : Radiator is a thing that radiates or emits, heat or sound.
Repaired : Fix or mend a thing suffering from damage or a fault.
Commute : To commute means to travel some distance between one’s home and place of work on a regular basis.
Taxi : A means of transportation used to convey passengers in return for payment of a fare.
Battery : A battery is a container consisting of one or more cells carrying an electric charge and used as a source of power.
Dealer : A dealer is a person or business that buys or sells goods.
Warranty Card : A warranty card is a type of guarantee that a manufacturer or similar party makes regarding the condition of its product.
Claim : To claim means to state or assert that something is the case, typically without providing evidence or proof.
Replace : To replace means to provide or find a substitute for something that is broken or old.
Piece of Junk : The phrase piece of junk means an amount or portion forming a separate mass or structure.
Top Model : Something that is of the highest quality.
Test Drive : It is the act of driving a motor vehicle that one is considering buying in order to determine its quality.
Headache : Headache means a continuous pain in the head.
Defective : Defective is used for something that is imperfect or faulty.
Showroom : It is a room used to display goods for sale, such as appliances, cars or furniture.
Inconvenience : Inconvenience means to cause trouble or difficulty to one’s personal requirements or comforts.
Eligible : To be eligible means having the right to do or obtain something.