Which type of maintenance is primarily reactive rather than proactive?

The type of maintenance that is primarily reactive rather than proactive is corrective maintenance. This approach is employed after a failure or malfunction has occurred, focusing on restoring equipment or systems to their intended operational state. Corrective maintenance is often unplanned and addresses specific issues that arise unexpectedly, which is why it is classified as reactive.

In contrast, preventive maintenance is scheduled and performed to reduce the likelihood of equipment failure before it occurs, making it a proactive measure. Predictive maintenance involves monitoring equipment conditions to predict when maintenance should be performed, allowing for timely interventions before failures happen. Deferred maintenance refers to delayed repairs or maintenance that can lead to more significant issues down the line; it is not categorized as a type of maintenance method but rather as a management decision regarding maintenance priorities.