With the Covid pandemic making foreign travel still seem like a distant hope, more people than ever will be taking road trips around the UK this summer.

But, it’s fair to say that, whilst we carefully plan our destinations, one thing people often forget to plan for, is getting your vehicle itself road trip ready. Modern vehicles are much more reliable these days than they were in the past and it’s easy to forget to carry out some basic checks before leaving. However, just a few minutes in preparation can save headaches which would certainly take the shine off your staycation!

Here are a few of our recommendations to get you started:

Brakes – Particularly check these if you’re using a car that’s a few years old, even if you only bought it recently. You want to feel confident in your brakes before setting off on any long journeys. So if they feel either soft, or cause any unusual noises, we would recommend checking them out. In fairness, this would apply whether or not you’re heading off on a long journey!

Lights – The last thing you want is your headlights going out whilst you’re on a narrow, unfamiliar country road at night, searching for your campsite. So check all lights are in working order before you leave, including inside ones. And it’s not a bad idea to have a spare bulb or 2 to hand just in case.

Fluid levels – Your fluid levels are so important to keep your car ticking over correctly, and often ignored. Get used to checking them regularly whether you’re going on a road trip or not.

Tyres – They need a checklist all on their own. But most importantly, check the tread, the pressures and that you have everything you need with you should you get a puncture.

Get a breakdown kit together and keep it handy. There’s nothing worse than when disaster strikes and you’re underprepared. So get all the equipment you might need in there – from a set of jump leads to a high-vis!

3. Take out breakdown cover. No matter how prepared you might be, a breakdown can always strike so it’s best to be prepared. It’s just not worth the added stress of breaking down, then realising you aren’t covered for it.

So that’s everything you need to think about when getting your car road trip ready. Now all that’s left for you to do, is decide where you’re heading.