Gerunds are the -ing form of a verb, and infinitives are the to + base form. These words can be confusing; they combine the meaning of a verb with the grammar of a noun. My father asked me to phone ...

When we choose the infinitive, we are pointing to things that happen, or (have) happened or might happen. In your own example, 'I've never had my car break down on the motorway' you are saying that it ...