What does a horn assembly do?

When the horn button (usually located in the centre of the steering wheel) is pressed, an electrical signal is sent to the horn relay, allowing power to flow to the horn(s) which are often located under the bonnet. This circuit is known as the horn assembly.

A functioning horn is an essential safety component of any vehicle on the road. As a driver, you’ll use the horn to warn others of your vehicle's approach or presence, or to call attention to a hazard on the road. In fact, if your horn is missing or broken and does not sound when pressed, then this will result in an MOT failure. So to avoid hassle and money in the long run, it's best to have a broken horn replaced as soon as possible.

DS

DS is the premium automobile marque of the Groupe PSA. First announced in 2009 by Citroën as its premium sub-brand; it was suggested to be an abbreviation of different spirit or distinctive series. However, in French, the name is considered a play on words, as the translation of déesse becomes goddess in English.

How popular is DS in the United Kingdom?

As a newcomer to the UK market in its own right, there were around 35k DS cars on the roads in the UK by the end of 2018. Whether those figures will continue to rise at the same rate shown since their introduction in 2015, only time will tell.

Looking to provide a standalone marque to initially compete with brands such as Volkswagen and Audi, PSA decided that neither Citroën nor Peugeot would be able to carry the brand strength that would be able to make a serious threat in the market with an elevated price-point at the level of quality and luxury they set out to achieve.

DS: Establishing a new range of upmarket models

To compete with the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, DS introduced a range of hatchbacks, saloons and SUVs but it’s undoubtedly their supermini city car that is proving the most popular.

The DS3, sold as a 3-door hatchback or a convertible, is available in countless customisation options and also as the subcompact luxury crossover SUV DS3 Crossback. The DS3 was voted Car of the Year by Top Gear Magazine, and first place supermini four times in a row in the JD Power Satisfaction UK Survey.

DS: Don’t be fooled into thinking they’re just a one trick pony

At the other end of the range you’ll find the DS7 Crossback. Here’s a large SUV designed to compete directly with the Audi Q5, the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC; that’s quite a jump for a car that’s built by Citroën.

The models that you’ll find between the DS3 and the DS7 are created with the same style for the market in mind. The DS4, a mixture of hatchback and SUV, and the DS5, a bigger hatchback priced and pitched against the Audi A4, the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class saloons.

How often should a horn assembly need replacing?

In an ideal world your horn assembly should last the lifetime of the car, but there are instances where this is not the case. Just like any other electrical component in a vehicle, there will be times when the horn will need replacing due to corrosion, bad wiring, water damage or a faulty relay.

The law, vehicle regulations and your MOT

The functionality of your car horn will be checked as part of your MOT. A faulty or quiet horn is classed as a minor on the test, however if your horn is inaudible to other road users this will result in an MOT failure. To avoid the hassle and cost of an MOT fail, it’s best to have your horn fixed as soon as you notice an issue.

What causes a horn assembly to break?

Car horns are located just under the bonnet so they’re exposed to rain, debris and other nasties. If this dirt or rain gets into the horn’s innards, it can short out the circuit and break the vehicle horn (and blow the fuse in the process). However, a horn assembly consists of multiple components which could also affect the functionality of the horn. For example, a broken car horn can also be caused by a bad horn switch in your steering wheel, a broken “clock spring” under the steering wheel, a faulty horn relay, or bad wiring.

When should a horn assembly be replaced?

As soon as you notice that your horn is not as loud as it used to be or if there is no sound at all, you should have the horn assembly looked at by a mechanic as soon as possible. Without a working horn you could be a danger on the road and your car will almost certainly fail its next MOT.

What are the signs of a bad horn assembly?

Usually, there a few signs you can look for:

• Your horn makes no sound when the button is pressed

• Your horn is too quiet to be heard by other road users

• Clicking sound from the horn relay

• Burning smell from under the bonnet

What happens during a horn assembly replacement?

During the repair our certified mechanics will:

• Inspect the entire horn assembly and identify the part(s) that need replacing

• Disconnect the battery

• Replace the necessary parts, either the button, relay or the horns

• Reconnect the battery and test the horn

What is the average lifespan of a horn assembly?

A horn assembly is built to last the lifetime of the car, but there are instances where this is not the case. Just like any other electrical component in a vehicle, there will be times when the horn will need replacing due to corrosion, bad wiring, water damage or a faulty relay.

Can you drive with a broken horn assembly?

No, you should get your car horn fixed to ensure you are safe on the roads. It is both unsafe and illegal to drive with a broken horn, as it is an essential safety feature in your car. Failing to replace a broken horn will also result in an MOT failure.