\\Did or would ??//

[ripsi]

he would have gone to her house yesterday but the car "didn't" start

he would have gone to her house yesterday but the car "wouldn't" start

which one is right and why ?

thanks

[Lucretia]

Hello ripsi,

Both sentences are grammatically correct.
In #1 you just state the fact.
In #2 would tells us the car refused to start, didn't want to start.

The car wouldn't start is certainly a very common phrase.
You are very unlikely to ever hear the car didn't start.

Here are a couple of examples:
I shook the door but it wouldn't open.
I don't know why Brian quitted his job, he wouldn't tell me.

Best wishes.

[Rusty]

Hello ripsi,

Both sentences are grammatically correct.
In #1 you just state the fact.
In #2 would tells us the car refused to start, didn't want to start.

The car wouldn't start is certainly a very common phrase.
You are very unlikely to ever hear the car didn't start.

Here are a couple of examples:
I shook the door but it wouldn't open.
I don't know why Brian quitted his job, he wouldn't tell me.

Best wishes.
Good explanation, Lucretia.
I would like to comment on your last sentence. "...Brian quitted his job."
Dictionaries give both quit and quitted as the past tense for quit.
Quit is much more common, especially when leaving a job. Merriam-Webster gives one definition (Number 9) for quitted:
"9. to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way <I thought the kids quitted themselves quite well at the concert tonight." Synonym: behave.

[Lucretia]

Hello Rusty,

Funny, at first my hand typed quit, then, knowing there are two forms, I thought I should consult a dictionary and found this in Collins:

2) to resign; give up (a job) he quitted his job today

I didn't know the other meaning (behave) you cited.

I appreciate greatly all your comments, Rusty.
Thank you.

[ripsi]

Hello ripsi,

Both sentences are grammatically correct.
In #1 you just state the fact.
In #2 would tells us the car refused to start, didn't want to start.

The car wouldn't start is certainly a very common phrase.
You are very unlikely to ever hear the car didn't start.

Here are a couple of examples:
I shook the door but it wouldn't open.
I don't know why Brian quitted his job, he wouldn't tell me.

Best wishes.

a very good , complete, understandable and useful answer

thank you dear Lucretia :)