As motorists across the country are packing their suitcases, we’re predicting a seven per cent increase in breakdowns during summer. That means around 150,000 callouts for our mechanics to provide support over the summer.
So, before you set up your road trip playlist and reach for your sunglasses, we’re urging you to prepare properly beforehand. Particularly as 27 million staycation road trips are expected this summer. That’s a lot of “are we there, yet?”.
What are the most common breakdown causes?
Battery failures are likely to be the biggest culprit – potentially pulling the plug on plans for days on the beach, scenic walks, picnics and family gatherings. With flat tyres and warning light concerns also high on the list of call outs, it’s smart to check the roadworthiness of your car before setting off.
Here are five of the main reasons a car may breakdown:
| Position | Breakdown causes |
| 1 | Flat battery |
| 2 | Puncture / wheel changes |
| 3 | Warning lights |
| 4 | Clutch |
| 5 | No power |
Our tips for a smooth ride this summer
With nearly a fifth of drivers admitting to skipping essential car maintenance before a road trip, we have these tips for long car journeys this summer:
- Walk around the car and look for signs of potential issues, including flat tyres or lights that need replacing. Regularly service your car to ensure it’s in tip-top condition.
- Check all tyres (including spares), for pressure and tread. Tyres have their own built-in tread wear indicators, but this can also be checked by using a 20p coin; if the outer band on the coin is visible when placed in the groove between the treads, they’ve worn too low and need replacing.
- Check all fluid levels (including your own!), making sure to top up if necessary and take enough water for you and your car, oil, and screen wash just in case.
- Make sure you have enough fuel to get you to your destination and back, and plan your fuel stops in advance. If you drive an electric vehicle, make sure it’s fully charged before you head off and locate charging points on your route.
- Make sure your phone battery is topped up prior to your journey and pack a portable charger.
- Make sure you have the appropriate breakdown cover to ensure you’re covered in the event of a breakdown. And if you’re planning to head off the beaten track, you can now get help without phone signal with our Roadside Assistance via satellite on your iPhone.
- Take regular breaks and make sure drivers are well rested ahead of the journey. Summer brings fatigue, so plan rest stops for at least 15 minutes every two hours.
So, wherever your road trips take you this summer, be sure to give your car the once over before you head off into the sun.
Always firstclass service phone up and they are out to fix my issue in no time
Thanks very much for your advise as going on a trip in August , I will get tyres checked including spare and take extra water check oil , and charge mobile, but just in case will
Make sure I have Green Flag contact number, which Hopefully will not need.
That is all good advice to most people, thank you.
Very relevant and informative
thanks for the reminders, very much appreciated
This great advice, thank you for the tips , your emails are always very helpful. I am glad to have green flag as my recovery team.
I can’t praise Green Flag enough 3 times they’ve been out too me .The service is next to none. I would recommend them 100%
Good Advice. I always check fluid levels every trip..water.oil..fuel. and tyre pressure & Condition
Thanks a lot. Full service and safety check this week
Thanks for the invaluable tips.
My car is serviced enery year without fail. Thank you for your advice.
Bill
Thank you for all very helpful reminders. Being over 80 I do not have iPhone only a smart phone but Android. Will that be able to be used to pick up satellite signals soon ? or never.
Loved this one! A timely reminder to prep our cars before the road trip dreams turn into roadside nightmares—super practical and well written!
Thank you for the advice and reminding members to take these sensible steps
.
Great reminder to check your vehicle before you set out on a long journey. Also to keep yourself well hydrated & carry essentials such as water & screen wash. Thank you.
Am I still covered?
Thanks for your help. I’m planning to drive to Rome soon.
Thanks for the reminder, we are not going far this year, but far enough to have 4 nights away… Will do all the checks before we go.
Sound advice!
Very good reminders
We had a breakdown with the caravan on tow the gearbox broke the service we received was first class car and caravan got home no problem
Really sensible and useful. Everyone take note!
Good sound advice. You’ll be amazed as to how many people do not follow this sound advice, even checking windscreen wiper washer levels!
Ask your local garage/Halfords to do a battery/belt/fluid test; better still, look on the internet and learn how to check them yourself. You can purchase a cheap battery tester from Lidl/Aldi.
Thankyou for the advice . Appreciate it.
Thanks for the good advice.
Thank you.
We always take our car to our garage 2 days before departure for a thorough check.
When I have a long journey I always pop into my local garage ask them to check my tyre pressures, oil, battery etc and they’re always very obliging
This is good advice, clearly and simply explained. It is not particularly helpful to me, as I do all these checks weekly, especially on my tyres. I feel that since the contact each tyre makes with the road is about the size of the palm of my hand, meaning I depend on four of these to keep me alive, it is especially important to check the pressure, tread depth and condition of the side walls. To this end I recently swapped my dial pressure gauge for a digital one, as it shows the pressure to 0.1psi.
I suffer with a problem of producing insufficient saliva, so ensure I have plenty of water to drink. I have two drink bottles that do not need to be tipped up, avoiding obscuring my view of the road while drinking. For long journeys I have a bladder with a tube clipped to my shirt, rather like F1 drivers; this means I can turn my head slightly and suck on the mouthpiece, keeping both hands free to control the car.
Thanks for the advice
I agree, all very good advice. I have already booked a service check even though it is not due for six months or 4000 miles
I had a breakdown and no phone signal. Can you extend satellite connection to android phones?
Make sure your locking wheel nut removal tool is handy.
Great advice! Not all of us have a man to blame if anything goes wrong so very helpful to single women !! 🙂
Fully believe in the taking regular breaks on long journeys.
I normally say, two hours of driving, find a services or lay-by.
Get out of the car, stretch your legs, have a drink ( non – alcoholic). Have a walk round the vehicle, nothing to hot!
Some cars, even flash up a warning “ driver take a break “ , these days.
Main thing keep yourself fresh, for the miles ahead.
Good sound direction we all need a reminder every now & then.
Wise advice as always.