Mechanic urges drivers to make check before summer road trips to avoid breaking down
As the number of vehicle breakdowns increased to nearly 275,000 in 2023, a top mechanic has shared how simple checks can prevent serious issues this summer.
The vehicle recovery service Green Flag has offered motorists a number of tips that can help them reduce the risk of breakdowns this summer.
According to the company, which used data from National Highways, 274,594 breakdowns were reported during 2023, a rise of around 30,000 compared to the previous year.
Katie Lomas, Managing Director of Green Flag, suggested that the overall increase in breakdowns and vehicle damage could be because the average age of a UK car is increasing.
She explained: "Generally, cars are lasting longer - which is a good thing. However, cars do tend to have more breakdowns as they age and this is reflected both in our own call out rates and the rising number of breakdowns recorded by National Highways.
"With breakdowns on the rise, drivers should keep up regular maintenance to help reduce the risk of issues, however old their vehicle may be."
To help prevent a breakdown from occurring during the summer months, Green Flag suggested that drivers should regularly check the coolant levels in their cars.
Identified via a small plastic container under the bonnet, the top of the coolant should be between two marked lines that are often labelled 'MIN' and 'MAX'.
In most modern cars, having too much or too little coolant will cause the engine to automatically cut off. However, on older models, this can cause overheating and increased wear on components.
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Green Flag also recommended that drivers look for any damage on their tyres before going on any long-distance trips this summer.
Whilst most tyres are replaced as they no longer have a deep enough tread, meaning they are unable to grip the road effectively, older examples may begin to crack due to constant exposure to the sun.
Cracked tyres can cause a number of issues for drivers, including letting air out at a much faster rate. Combined with long-distance driving, this can cause the tyres to heat up and potentially lead to a blowout.
Similarly, the breakdown company also advised motorists to make sure that any perishable components like belts and hoses are also in good conditon.
Whilst these parts spend much less time in direct sunlight, rubber hoses can very easily crack over time, resulting in leaks and a lack of fluid reaching vital components.
However, perhaps even worse, splitting belts can lead to components stopping altogether, ranging from luxuries such as air conditioning to key parts like the alternator.
