"Er zit speling op de fuseekogel." A mechanic says it in two seconds, but if Dutch is not your first language you mostly hear noise. Hence this list: the words that actually get used in our workshop, with the English translation next to them.
Below are the words that come up most often in our workshop, with the English translation next to them. Useful if you are having your car repaired in the Netherlands and Dutch is not your first language — and just as useful for understanding an invoice or a quote.
Under the bonnet
| Dutch term | English |
|---|
| motor | engine |
| bougie | spark plug |
| gloeibougie | glow plug |
| distributieriem | timing belt |
| distributieketting | timing chain |
| multiriem / poly-V-riem | auxiliary / serpentine belt |
| waterpomp | water pump |
| thermostaat | thermostat |
| radiateur / koeler | radiator |
| koelvloeistof | coolant |
| motorolie | engine oil |
| oliefilter | oil filter |
| luchtfilter | air filter |
| brandstoffilter | fuel filter |
| turbo | turbocharger |
| injector / verstuiver | injector |
| EGR-klep | EGR valve |
| roetfilter (DPF) | diesel particulate filter |
| katalysator | catalytic converter |
| pakking | gasket |
| koppakking | head gasket |
Drivetrain
| Dutch term | English |
|---|
| versnellingsbak | gearbox |
| handgeschakelde bak | manual gearbox |
| automaat | automatic gearbox |
| koppeling | clutch |
| vliegwiel | flywheel |
| tweemassavliegwiel | dual-mass flywheel |
| aandrijfas | driveshaft |
| homokineet | CV joint |
| differentieel | differential |
| versnellingsbakolie | gearbox oil |
Brakes
| Dutch term | English |
|---|
| remschijf | brake disc |
| remblok | brake pad |
| remklauw | brake caliper |
| remleiding | brake line |
| remslang | brake hose |
| remvloeistof | brake fluid |
| handrem | handbrake |
| ABS-sensor | ABS sensor |
Suspension and steering
| Dutch term | English |
|---|
| schokdemper | shock absorber |
| veer | spring |
| veerpoot | suspension strut |
| draagarm | control arm |
| fuseekogel | ball joint |
| spoorstang | track rod |
| spoorstangeind | track rod end |
| stabilisatorstang | anti-roll bar link |
| wiellager | wheel bearing |
| stuurhuis | steering rack |
| uitlijnen | wheel alignment |
| balanceren | wheel balancing |
Electrics
| Dutch term | English |
|---|
| accu | battery |
| dynamo / alternator | alternator |
| startmotor | starter motor |
| zekering | fuse |
| relais | relay |
| massa / massakabel | earth / ground strap |
| bedrading / kabelboom | wiring loom |
| sensor | sensor |
| regeleenheid (ECU) | control unit (ECU) |
| foutcode | fault code |
| uitlezen | reading out / scanning |
| coderen | coding |
Body, interior and air-con
| Dutch term | English |
|---|
| portier | door |
| spatbord | wing / fender |
| bumper | bumper |
| motorkap | bonnet |
| kofferbak | boot |
| voorruit | windscreen |
| ruitenwisser | wiper |
| sproeier | washer jet |
| interieurfilter / pollenfilter | cabin filter |
| airco vullen | air-con refill |
| koudemiddel | refrigerant |
| compressor | compressor |
Phrases you will hear in the workshop
| Dutch phrase | English |
|---|
| Wat is er precies aan de hand? | What exactly is the problem? |
| Sinds wanneer doet hij dat? | Since when has it been doing that? |
| Kunt u het geluid nadoen? | Can you imitate the noise? |
| Doet hij dat koud of warm? | Does it do that cold or warm? |
| Ik moet hem eerst uitlezen. | I need to run a diagnostic first. |
| Hij moet op de brug. | It needs to go on the lift. |
| Ik bel u met een prijsopgave. | I will call you with a quote. |
| Het onderdeel moet besteld worden. | The part has to be ordered. |
| Hij is vandaag klaar. | It will be ready today. |
| Er is speling op… | There is play in… |
| Het lekt olie. | It is leaking oil. |
| Dat is een afkeurpunt. | That is an inspection failure point. |
| Dit kan nog even wachten. | This can wait a bit longer. |
| Dit moet nu gebeuren, het is onveilig. | This must be done now, it is unsafe. |
Making an appointment
| Dutch phrase | English |
|---|
| Ik wil een afspraak maken. | I would like to make an appointment. |
| Mijn APK verloopt binnenkort. | My APK expires soon. |
| Mijn auto is afgekeurd. | My car failed the inspection. |
| Kunt u ernaar kijken? | Could you take a look at it? |
| Hoe lang duurt het? | How long will it take? |
| Kan ik erop wachten? | Can I wait for it? |
| Wat gaat het ongeveer kosten? | Roughly what will it cost? |
| Belt u mij voordat u iets vervangt? | Please call me before replacing anything. |
Prefer to just speak your own language?
You can: our team speaks Dutch, English and Polish. You don't need to memorise a single word from this list — but it helps to know what is being discussed when you are handed an inspection report. For the APK terms specifically we made a separate report translation guide.
Prefer to sort this out in your own language? In Tilburg we work in English, Dutch and Polish.