Can you still drive a car if the turbo goes out?
Andrew Campbell
Updated on February 25, 2026
The vehicle can run without an efficiently functioning turbocharger, but it will perform poorly, and your decision could possibly have dramatic repercussions. If the issue is an oil supply or internal component-related problem, complete failure is imminent.
What happens if you drive a car with a blown turbo?
Although the car will move with a blown turbo, it would be far more preferable to stop driving it and have the car taken to the garage to have the turbo repaired or a replacement installed. The longer the blown turbo is left without repair, the more damage can be caused to the car's engine.Can I drive my car if the turbo is not working?
Yes, you'll still be able to drive your car if your turbocharger fails; however, engine failure won't be far behind, so only drive on if you have to. As soon as you spot any of the turbo failure symptoms outlined above, you should get your turbo checked as soon as possible by a qualified technician.What happens if your turbo goes out?
Be aware that when your turbo fails the pieces will drop down into the intercooler and the oil seals will fail. Unfortunately the engine can actually run on this oil and can run away at maximum RPM until all the oil is used up, at which point the engine will seize.How long will a failing turbo last?
Common reasons why your turbocharger has failedTurbochargers are designed and built to last many years, but like all car components they will eventually fail. You can expect your turbo to last up to around 150,000 miles - or even more if it's seldom used.