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When summer has bowed out for another year and the leaves have started to fall, it’s time to think about preparing your car for the winter. The number of breakdowns soares in winter as most drivers are ill-prepared for the changing conditions. Even in the UK’s rather temperate climate, there are still some top tips you can follow to make sure you are ready for when winter finally comes.

When summer has bowed out for another year and the leaves have started to fall, it’s time to think about preparing your car for the winter. The number of breakdowns soares in winter as most drivers are ill-prepared for the changing conditions.

Even in the UK’s rather temperate climate, there are still some top tips you can follow to make sure you are ready for when winter finally comes.

If you know a service is due around the corner, it might make sense to get it booked in before winter. Colder weather exacerbates issues with your car, and rectifying them before autumn is over can help prevent a future breakdown.

Many UK manufacturers offer free winter health checks for your car. If you’ve not heard from your local garage, give them a call. They’re usually more than happy to fit you in - at no cost to you. This is because the law of averages tells them, that the more vehicles they inspect, the more likely they are to find issues that need fixing. Of course, if they find any issues and you want them sorting, then you will need to pay for it.

This is one of the most important parts of your car to have checked. As the temperatures drop, the battery is less efficient meaning its output is reduced. At the same time, people will tend to have their lights and heaters on more. Also, the engine oil gets thicker in colder weather so the battery has to run double time. All of these add additional strain so it’s important to make sure your battery is up to the task.

Car batteries are most effective for around five years, after which time it is worth looking to have them check out and replaced if needs be.

Remember, if your battery is flat and the car won’t start, you might be able to jump-start it with some jump-leads connected to another vehicle’s battery. This could be just enough to get you going to the nearest garage.

Top up your engine coolant with antifreeze

Engine coolant is a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. It’s important to maintain this ratio throughout the year. Many people top up just with water over summer, this means that by winter there isn’t enough antifreeze in the solution to keep it from freezing over during cold snaps. This means your engine can overheat which can be a very costly repair.

The legal tyre tread limit is 1.6mm on any tyre in the UK. That said, during winter it is worth considering replacing any tyres with less than 3mm, as less than this means there’s less grip. As we all know, winter tends to see more rain - and naturally sleet and snow - than other times of the year, so this is when you need the most amount of grip you can get.

Some drivers go as far as having a summer and winter set of tyres. Winter tyres offer increased grip, so if you do a lot of driving in winter this is definitely worth considering. It sounds extreme but in some colder countries this is simply routine for all motorists!

Once you’re happy with your tyres’ treads, check they’re pumped up to the correct pressure. This will help with grip and fuel efficiency.

With winter being so wet, lights can easily get dirty and become less effective. Try to keep them as clean as possible and always check for any cracked lenses. Replace any blown bulbs as well, as you’ll be using your lights a lot more than in the summer months. Remember, lights are not just to help you see, but for you to be seen as well.

Give your windscreen a good clean and check for any cracks as they can grow more quickly in winter. If you do spot any, then ask your insurance company how much it is to repair. It’s often free, or has a nominal fee of £10-25, and doesn’t affect your no-claims bonus. They will usually send someone to your home or place of work as well for convenience.

Top up your screen washer fluid. You will want to have it less diluted in the winter so it has a higher antifreeze concentration.

Run your finger along the wipers and check for any tears. If the edge isn’t smooth then they won’t be able to wipe your windscreen effectively. Consider replacing any torn ones.

It might not seem important as a winter check, but look for any stone chips. Whilst they’re mainly superficial, the salt that is added to roads in winter can attack them and make them worse. It’s a good idea to repair any surface damage before the weather turns. You could also have your car cleaned and polished with wax for an extra layer of protection, or even get your car professionally detailed. It will look awesome and keep your car bodywork in great shape through the winter.

A supply box can be useful in all seasons, but especially so in winter. Here are some handy items to consider keeping in your vehicle at all times:

Whenever going on a long journey, it’s good practice to make sure both you and your vehicle are properly prepared.

Check your windows and lights are clear, and you have enough screenwash. Also check your engine oil level and fuel level before you set off. If you hit major traffic there’s nothing more stressful than running low on fuel and not knowing if you’ll be able to get to a petrol station in time. Similarly, if you have an electric vehicle, check how much range you have in advance.

Check your route online. Whether using a satellite navigation system or not, it’s good to have a rough idea in your head of where you’re going, and any potential backup routes in case you hit heavy traffic or an accident.

On that note, check the traffic before you set off. If there has been an accident on your route it may make sense to go a completely different way.

Also, plan any stops in advance. It’s good to know where the services are on the way so you can schedule breaks for fuel, food, drink, toilets or to have a rest or sleep.

Whether you have a fairly modern vehicle, or one several years old, it’s always a good idea to have suitable breakdown cover. Policies can be quick and easy to set up, and if you do break down, it’s good to know you have support available.

Make sure you keep a copy of your policy number and a contact telephone number so you know who to contact if the need arises. Worst case scenario just google the company name and give them a call quoting your vehicle registration number.

It’s important to always expect the unexpected, and if you follow these steps, you should make it through another winter without any major issues. You’ll likely increase the lifespan of your vehicle as well, so it’s a win-win.

We all know getting your vehicle serviced is time consuming, laborious and, of course, expensive. It can often be tempting to keep putting it off. After all, it's not compulsory like an MOT. But does that mean we can ignore it altogether?

For the majority of motorists, the first thing they look at when buying a second-hand vehicle is its service history; in particular, vehicles with Full Service History (FSH). This means that the vehicle has been fully serviced since new. Service requirements are usually based on both age and mileage.

Firstly, if your vehicle is out of warranty, you can skip straight to point 2... But, for those of you who have a vehicle that is still under its manufacturer warranty, then you will want to make sure you service your vehicle on time, every time. Failing to do so may not only damage your vehicle, but also result in your manufacturer refusing to pay for repairs.

Vehicles are very complicated mechanical machines with a lot of moving parts. That means oils need to be maintained and changed regularly to keep everything running smoothly. Filters need to be renewed to stop dust and dirt getting into the oil. A quick tip, check the colour of your oil. If you see a thick black substance, then book a service immediately. The ideal colour is a nice golden brown.

The majority of services come with full vehicle health checks. This means the mechanics performing your service will also check the vehicle from top to toe, such as breaks, suspension and tyres, to make sure that the vehicle remains safe to operate. 

Realistically does anyone really check their tyre tread every time they get in their vehicle? It's something we know we're supposed to do, but rarely have time for. Having a regular service is a good opportunity to check the tyres are both within the legal tread limit, and also don't have any uneven wear. Without regularly having all these checks you may be driving around in a dangerous vehicle. This is especially true with older vehicles where damage can easily occur between MOTs.

Yes, servicing a vehicle is expensive. But often you will recoup much of that cost back when you part-exchange or sell your vehicle privately. When part-exchanging a vehicle, the dealer will usually minus off the costs of any services that haven't been performed on the vehicle, as the majority of them will want to advertise the vehicle as having been fully serviced. So either way you end up paying for it, so it makes sense to do it when it's due.

Also, a more efficient engine will cost less to run. It's no secret that a tired, dirty engine with a lack of oil will burn far more fuel than one that has been looked after. It'll also be more sluggish and not as smooth to drive. Still thinking of skipping its next service?

The better care you take of your vehicle, the longer it'll last. A vehicle that has been really well looked-after can last several years longer than one that hasn't. This could save you even more money in the long run as you won't need to upgrade quite so often. It can be much cheaper to keep a vehicle running longer than it is to buy a newer model. Let's not get started on depreciation...

How often you have your vehicle serviced will depend on the manufacturer and the make and model of car you have. However, as a general rule it is recommended to service your car every 12,000 miles or every 12 months - whichever comes soonest.

Many modern cars will notify you when the service is due, so it’s important to book your car in when the warning sign comes up, even if it’s been less than 12 months or you’ve driven fewer than 12,000 miles.

Below is a list of the types of car service available, and what is typically involved. Please check with your garages for a definitive list of what is actually checked and carried out:

Interim Service - Every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes soonest
New parts: Oil Filter
Fluids: Engine Oil, Brake fluid, Power steering fluid, Battery fluid, Screen wash

Full Service - Every 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes soonest
New parts: As above but also: Air Filter
Fluids: As above, but also: Transfer box oil, Manual transmission oil

Major Service - Each manufacturer will have their own bespoke service schedule. All the information you need should be in your car manual
New parts: Spark plugs, Cabin/pollen filters

One of the problems with servicing is the cost often comes in a big lump sum - and it's usually a few hundred pounds or more! However, when buying a vehicle, whether new or second-hand, it's worth considering these costs and factoring them into the total cost of ownership of the vehicle.

Most new vehicles come with service plan options, where you can pay a fixed amount a month to include your next two or three services as part of the purchase. Similarly, even if you're buying second-hand then most manufacturers will still offer you service packages for your vehicle. It's often cheaper to do it this way than paying full price each time.

No. An MOT is a legally required certificate that you must obtain for your vehicle every 12 months (once it’s over 3 years old). In order to get a valid MOT certificate, your car must pass a series of safety tests at a registered MOT garage. For more information on what is checked in an MOT see our article What is an MOT, what is checked and when is it due?) If the vehicle fails the MOT test, then you are no longer legally allowed to drive it until mandatory repairs are made and it is able to pass another MOT test.

A service, however, is optional. It is simply periodic routine maintenance carried out on your vehicle that is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. This maintenance helps to ensure the car is safe to drive, and prolongs the vehicle’s life as well as making it as efficient as possible. Ignoring vehicle servicing will damage the vehicle’s resale price (as servicing is logged and checked), damage the vehicle itself, and put the vehicle at risk of passing its next MOT test. 

There’s no reason you have to choose a manufacturer dealership to get your vehicle serviced. There are a huge number of independent garages out there that will do a perfectly fine job of servicing (and MOTing) your vehicle without affecting its warranty or resale value. For more information on choosing a garage see our article 8 tips for choosing the right garage for your vehicle.

It's expensive and annoying, but keeping your vehicle well-serviced will save you money in the long run, make your vehicle more enjoyable to drive, and most importantly keep you safe.

Why you should get your vehicle serviced regularly

Complete MOT test and certificate advice, plus info on getting an MOT history check, when its due and how your MOT affects car tax, insurance, buying & selling.

An MOT (Ministry of Transport) is a legal requirement for cars over 3 years old (except for Classic cars registered more than 40 years ago which are now declared as Vehicles of Historic Interest (VHIs) making them exempt from MOT testing) and require to have tests carried out to ensure they are still safe and roadworthy.

When your car is three years old from the date of its registration, you will need to get its first MOT test done, then it needs to be retested every year on the anniversary of its last MOT test.

No, you wont be notified when your MOT is due and there is no grace period if you were to miss the due date of your MOT. To save you falling foul of not remembering when your MOT due date is then sign up to our (Beta) free MOT notification service and we'll give you plenty of notice of when it's due.

In short, no you can't. It is illegal to do so with the exception of driving to an already booked MOT. Not having a valid certificate could mean risking a fine, points added to your licence and a driving ban. It also has an impact on the price when you’re buying or selling a vehicle.

An MOT test doesn't take very long. The test takes around 45 minutes to an hour, and you can choose to wait while the vehicle is being inspected.

The MOT test includes checks on many aspects of the car to ensure it's roadworthy and safe to drive, these include:

Once your vehicle has had its MOT and successfully passed all the above inspections, then you'll be issued an MOT certificate (this is generally called a VT20 MOT Test Pass certificate). These have changed since May 2018 (left the old version, new version on the right) to try and make it easier for customers to read and understand what, if any, issues may have cropped up in the MOT test.

Yes, this information is freely available from the Governments free MOT Checker service from the DVLA or you can sign up to Driver Buddy's free service. As soon as you've signed up and entered your number plate, we'll retrieve all your MOT history and update it after each MOT service carried out.

A valid MOT is a requirement for taxing your car online or at the post office. If you’re not driving or taxing your car because it’s off the road, you should declare a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).

The biggest issue comes when both your road tax and MOT are due at the same time and the tax runs out before an MOT pass.

So it’s worth either taxing your car slightly earlier or going in for an MOT up to 30 days before the due date to avoid them clashing. Otherwise you may be able to legally drive without an MOT to the nearest test centre, but you’ll potentially be at risk for not having valid road tax.

If you’re driving and insuring your car to use on the road, then you’ll need to have a valid MOT to be legal. But it’s not a requirement to get car insurance, or to receive a payment in the event of a theft or accident.

You may need to take out insurance on a car which has been declared SORN and is kept away from the public highway. Or you may need cover in order to travel to the MOT test itself.

If you do make an insurance claim on a car without a valid MOT you can expect the payout to be lowered to the value of a non-MOT’d car which is significantly lower.

This really depends on the vehicle as the price can increase/decrease but there is a maximum cost set by the DVSA.

Those fees are listed in full on the GOV.UK website. In short, the maximum MOT fee for a car with up to eight passenger seats is £54.85. For a motorcycle it's £29.65.

What is an MOT, what is checked and when is it due?

Tag: maintenance

Preparing your vehicle for winter

Why you should get your vehicle serviced regularly

What is an MOT, what is checked and when is it due?

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