A hot smell can be harmless after heavy use, but a new burning smell deserves investigation—especially if there is smoke, a warning light or fluid leaking.
Try to identify the type of smell
Hot brakes, clutch, oil, rubber and electrical insulation smell different. you are not expected to to diagnose it perfectly; you do need to notice when it is new or strong.
Check whether something was unusually demanding
A long hill, repeated braking or slipping the clutch can create heat. If the smell appears during normal gentle driving, that is more suspicious.
Stop for smoke or obvious overheating
Do not open a hot cooling system. If the car appears unsafe, switch off somewhere safe and seek help.
Mechanical failure and collision damage are not the same thing for insurance purposes. Check the policy instead of assuming every expensive repair is covered.
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