Reactive maintenance might look cheap at first but can cause bigger problems later. Which statement reflects this idea?

• A. It might look cheap at first, but can cause bigger problems later
• B. It never leads to safety risks
• C. It eliminates downtime
• D. It is always the best option

Answer: (A)

Reactive maintenance focuses on fixing equipment after it breaks, so the upfront cost may seem low because you skip preventive checks and replacements. But hidden wear and impending failures often surface as a breakdown, leading to urgent repairs, overtime, expedited parts, and unexpected downtime. That combination of higher long-term costs and production interruption is why this statement best reflects the idea: you may save money at the start, but bigger problems tend to surface later. The other ideas don’t fit because failures can introduce safety risks, reactive maintenance typically doesn’t prevent downtime (it often causes it when a failure occurs), and it isn’t always the best option since preventive or proactive approaches can reduce overall risk and cost.