Car Shaking?
Find Out What’s Wrong

Unbalanced wheels are the most common cause of shaking felt through the steering wheel at motorway speeds — typically between 60 and 80mph. Even a small weight difference of a few grams causes significant vibration at speed. Wheel balancing takes about 30 minutes and costs very little. It should be the first check when shaking appears at speed.

Shaking specifically under braking — felt through the brake pedal and steering wheel — is the classic symptom of warped brake discs. The disc surface is no longer perfectly flat so the pads grip unevenly. This is particularly noticeable when braking from motorway speed. Replacement of the discs and pads on the affected axle resolves the issue.

Tyres with uneven wear, flat spots or internal damage cause shaking at various speeds. A tyre with a flat spot — from emergency braking or standing unused for a long period — shakes at lower speeds and often improves once the tyre warms up. Tyres with internal structural damage are dangerous and need immediate replacement.

Worn suspension bushes, ball joints or shock absorbers allow excessive movement in the suspension — causing shaking over bumps and imprecise handling. A car that shakes over rough roads but is smooth on motorways points to suspension wear rather than wheel balance.

A misfiring engine causes noticeable shaking particularly at idle. The engine runs unevenly because one or more cylinders is not firing consistently. This shaking is felt through the whole car and is typically accompanied by a rough idle sound and an engine management light.