Going on a road trip around the UK is a lot of fun. I’ve done it many times in my little, reliable, Ford Fiesta. I love driving and being able to explore the countryside at my own pace, with the freedom of my car, has always felt special. On a road trip around the UK you’ll cover long motorway stretches, busy town centres, and tight country lanes. Especially if you go around Devon. Make sure to prepare your car first, so you avoid delays and stay safe when conditions change fast.
Start with simple checks you can do at home: tires, fluids, lights, and wipers. These basics take minutes and reduce your chance of a breakdown on the road.
I wrote this article with Carplus, the car finance broker, to focus on practical steps you can take before heading on the road. Use this guide like a checklist. Tick items off, fix problems early, then set off with confidence.
Tires: Pressure, Tread Depth and Spare Wheel
Check your tire pressures before you drive, while the tires feel cold. Use the figures in your handbook or the sticker in the driver’s door shut or fuel flap, then adjust for passengers and luggage.
Measure tread depth on all four tyres, then replace anything close to the limit. UK law requires at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, around the entire circumference. Use the built-in wear bars or a quick 20p check to spot low tread fast. You should know from your yearly MOT where you stand with your tires.
Also, make sure you can deal with a puncture on the road and that your insurance comes with road assistance. Check your spare wheel or space-saver pressure, and make sure you carry the jack, wheel brace, locking wheel-nut key, and a torch where you can reach them.
Fluids: Engine Oil, Coolant, Brake Fluid, Screenwash
Check your engine oil first, because it protects the engine on long motorway runs and slow traffic crawls. Park on level ground, read the dipstick, then top up little by little so you do not overfill.
Check the coolant next, because it controls engine temperature on steep climbs and in stop-start queues. Look at the expansion tank marks when the engine is cold, then top up with the correct coolant mix listed in your handbook.
Check the brake fluid before you load the car, because low fluid can reduce braking performance. Keep the level between MIN and MAX. Book a garage visit if you spot leaks, a soft pedal, or a warning light.
Fill the screenwash last, because UK roads throw up salt, spray, and insects that ruin visibility fast. Use proper washer fluid, not plain water. Carry a small top-up bottle for long rural stretches.
Lights, Wipers & Visibility: Stay Road-Legal in UK Weather
Test every exterior light before you set off, including brake lights, indicators, number plate light, and fog lights. Clean the lenses and number plates, then check your headlamp aim if you load the boot heavily, because misaligned beams dazzle other drivers.
Inspect your wiper blades for splits and smearing, then replace them if they leave streaks across your view.
Clean the windscreen inside and out, then use the demister so you keep the glass clear in damp weather. Switch on headlights when visibility drops to under 100 metres, and switch fog lights off as soon as visibility improves.
Brakes, Battery & Belts: Prevent Breakdowns on Motorways
Press the brake pedal before you move off, then look for a firm feel with no sinking. Listen for squeals or grinding on a short test drive, and book a garage check if you spot noise, vibration, or a warning light.
Check the battery next, because a weak battery causes a huge share of breakdowns. Clean and tighten the terminals, then confirm the car starts briskly after it sits overnight.
Inspect the auxiliary belt for cracks, fraying, or a glossy glazed look, then get it checked if it squeals. A snapped belt can stop the alternator and water pump, so it can end your trip fast.
Breakdown Cover for UK Road Trips: What to Check Before You Set Off
Check what level of help you actually buy before you leave: roadside assistance, home start, national recovery, and onward travel all cover different problems. Match the cover to your route, because motorway miles and remote areas demand faster recovery options.
Read the key limits and delays in the small print. Some policies start extra benefits after a short waiting period, and onward travel can come with hire-car rules such as licence and age limits.
Check what your provider excludes, then save the emergency number in your phone. Look for limits linked to vehicle condition, where you break down, and what caused the issue, so you avoid arguments at the roadside.
I can’t tell you how grateful I was for roadside assistance when my tire exploded on the motorway. They recovered me from the side of the road, took me to the nearest garage who fixed the damage, and then the insurance reimbursed the costs of the repairs.
Emergency Kit for UK Driving: What to Keep in the Car
- High-vis vest + torch: Keep both in the cabin, not buried in the boot. Grab them fast if you stop on a dark road or hard shoulder.
- Phone power: Pack a working charging cable and a power bank. Stay reachable if you need breakdown help or map access.
- Puncture kit essentials: Carry the jack, wheel brace, and locking wheel-nut key if your car has a spare. Add tough gloves and a kneeling mat.
- First aid and small fixes: Add a basic first aid kit, plasters, and pain relief. Include a tyre inflator or sealant kit if your car uses one.
- Comfort for delays: Bring water, long-life snacks, and a warm layer or blanket. UK weather shifts fast, so you stay comfortable while you wait for recovery.
The Main Thing: Prepare Food For The Road To “Fuel” Yourself
Pack food based on how many of you travel and how long you plan to drive between stops. For one or two people, a small cool bag and a few grab-and-go snacks usually cover the day. For a family or group, bring a larger cool bag, split food into individual portions, and keep one “snack box” in the cabin so nobody rummages in the boot.
Choose foods that stay tidy and keep you alert. Go for sandwiches or wraps, boiled eggs, cheese portions, yoghurt pouches, sliced veg, fruit, nuts, oat bars, and crackers. Add protein and fibre to stop energy crashes. Skip crumbly pastries, strong-smelling foods, and anything that melts, because they create mess and distract you.
Day-Of Departure Checklist: 10 Quick Checks Before You Drive Off
- Check tyre pressures and tread. Use the figures in your handbook or door sticker, then give each tyre a quick visual scan for cuts or bulges.
- Check engine oil level. Park on level ground, read the dipstick, then top up in small amounts.
- Check coolant level. Look at the expansion tank marks when the engine is cold, then top up with the correct mix.
- Top up screenwash and test the jets. Make sure you get a strong spray pattern before you hit the motorway.
- Test all lights. Check headlights, brake lights, indicators, and fog lights so you stay road-legal in poor visibility.
- Check wipers clear the screen cleanly. Replace blades that smear or chatter.
- Test brakes on your first slow roll. Listen for squeals or grinding, and stop the trip if a warning light shows.
- Check the battery starts the car briskly. If the starter drags or the dash lights dim, sort it before you leave.
- Confirm you can handle a puncture. Find the locking wheel-nut key, and make sure you carry the jack and wheel brace, or your tyre sealant kit.
- Set your cabin and load for the drive. Adjust mirrors and seat, secure luggage, then set your route and first stop.
Final Worlds
A long UK road trip runs smoother when you prepare your car first. Check tires, fluids, lights, wipers, brakes, battery, and belts, then sort small issues before they grow on the motorway. Keep your breakdown cover details and a simple emergency kit within reach. Tick off the day-of-departure list, set your first stop, then drive with confidence.
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