Easter is the UK's first proper driving weekend of the year — and every year, thousands of people end up stuck on the hard shoulder or waiting for recovery at a service station because of issues that were genuinely easy to spot beforehand.
Whether you're heading down to Cornwall, up to the Lakes, or just over to visit family, these ten checks take about twenty minutes and will save you a world of stress.
1. Tyres — Pressures, Tread and Spare
Tyres are the most common cause of motorway breakdowns we see at Easter.
Before you go:
- ▸Check pressures when the tyres are cold (first thing in the morning is ideal)
- ▸Use the higher "loaded" pressure from the sticker on the door shut if the car will be full of passengers, kids and luggage
- ▸Look for bulges, cuts or anything foreign stuck in the tread
- ▸Check the spare wheel or inflator kit — and know where it actually is
2. Oil Level
A lot of modern engines burn a small amount of oil, especially on long runs. Running low on a 300-mile drive is a quick way to wreck an engine.
- ▸Check on a level surface with a cold engine
- ▸Top up with the correct grade (your handbook will tell you)
- ▸If it's been a while since a change — or the oil looks black and sludgy — get it changed before you set off
3. Coolant
Longer drives and warmer weather put the cooling system to work. Pop the bonnet and check that the coolant is between MIN and MAX on the expansion tank.
If it's low, find out why before you load the family in — a hidden leak on the motorway in Easter traffic is nobody's idea of a good time.
4. Brakes
Before a long trip is the right time to give the brakes a proper mental test. On a quiet road:
- ▸Apply them firmly from about 30 mph
- ▸The car should stop straight, smoothly and without noise
- ▸The pedal should feel firm, not soft or spongy
If anything feels off — grinding, pulling, vibrating or a soft pedal — don't set off until it's been checked.
5. Lights
Walk around the car with someone pressing each control in turn:
- ▸Dipped and main beam
- ▸Side lights and number-plate lights
- ▸All indicators and hazards
- ▸Brake lights and the high-level brake light
- ▸Reversing and fog lights
Extra weight in the boot can also point the headlights too high and dazzle oncoming drivers. Most cars have a manual headlight levelling dial near the steering wheel — use it.
6. Wipers and Screenwash
British Easter weather is famously unpredictable. Give yourself proper visibility.
- ▸Replace wipers if they're smearing or juddering
- ▸Top up screenwash with a summer mix containing bug remover
- ▸Clean the screen, inside and out — a clear windscreen massively reduces fatigue on a long drive
7. Battery
A tired battery might start the car fine at home but struggle after a cold night in a motorway services car park.
If you've had any slow starts, dashboard dimming or stop-start not working properly recently, book a battery health check before you go. It takes five minutes.
8. Air Conditioning
If you haven't turned the air-con on since October, fire it up now. You want to know it's working properly before you're sitting in a four-hour traffic jam on the M5 in April sunshine.
If it's blowing cool but not cold, you're probably due a regas.
9. Warning Lights
Take a good look at the dashboard after you first start the car.
- ▸All the usual warning lights should come on briefly, then go out
- ▸Anything that stays on needs investigating — especially engine management, ABS, airbag or oil pressure warnings
- ▸If you're heading off tomorrow, don't ignore a new light and "hope for the best"
10. What to Pack — Just in Case
Even a well-prepared car can have a bad day. Have these in the boot:
- ▸Phone charger and a cable long enough to reach the back seats
- ▸Bottled water and snacks
- ▸A warm layer each, even in April
- ▸Hi-viz vest and a warning triangle
- ▸Basic first-aid kit
- ▸Tyre inflator or sealant (if no spare)
- ▸Breakdown cover membership details and a number you can actually call
Heading Further Afield?
If you're driving abroad this Easter — France, Ireland or further — check the legal extras you need: breathalyser, reflective vests for every passenger, warning triangles, headlight beam benders and a UK sticker if you're on older plates.
One Last Thing
If any of the above throws up something you're not sure about — a soft pedal, a new noise, a warning light that's just come on — it's far cheaper to book a 30-minute check now than to pay for a motorway recovery on Good Friday.