When a character maliciously tampers with someone else's vehicle (whether it's an automobile or motorcycle), vessel, or plane prior to it being used. Since Every Car Is a Pinto, this can turn a pleasant family drive in the trusty minivan into a hurtling terror ride in a burning metal death trap. In other situations, less dangerous methods may be used simply to slow the would-be driver or pilot down or to get revenge for a previous slight.

Any type of vehicle imaginable can be subject to Vehicular Sabotage, as long as there is a character with the tools and knowledge to pull it off. Anything from the trusty "unhinging the wagon wheels" ploy, to the "sugar in the gas tank" prank, to the "cut the brake lines" scheme, to the "strip the tires" trick, to the "overload the Phlebotinum-converter" gambit (and anything in between) can qualify, as long as it is the result of a deliberate action and not simple mechanical failure.

With modern vehicles, remotely hacking the vehicle's computer is becoming common, combining this trope with Hollywood Hacking.

Compare with Vehicular Assault, in which a vehicle is used as a weapon by its pilot, and Murder by Remote Control Vehicle, in which a vehicle is used as a weapon against its pilot. A supertrope of Banana in the Tailpipe and External Combustion, when the sabotage comes by way of an explosive device planted by the enemy, and sometimes Pop the Tires. May be a cause of Running Over the Plot. Frequently results in a car with Magic Brakes. This is also a favorite way to Make It Look Like an Accident.

Examples