Longer days, warmer weather, and road trips with your mates or partner – summer’s basically begging you to hit the road. But before you head off to the beach or a weekend festival, it’s worth checking your car is actually up for the journey.
In 2024, nearly 283,000 cars broke down on UK motorways – and a lot of those issues could’ve been avoided. The AA’s crunched the numbers and revealed the most common reasons people ended up stuck on the hard shoulder. Let’s break them down, so you can avoid becoming one of them.
1. Flat or Faulty Battery
The number one cause of breakdowns in the UK? The battery. Doesn’t matter if you drive petrol, diesel, electric or a hybrid – if your 12-volt battery goes flat, you’re not going anywhere.
This usually happens when:
- Your car sits unused for ages.
- You only do short trips (not enough time to recharge).
- You leave your lights, radio or charger plugged in after switching off.
Top tip: Give your car a decent run every now and then, especially if it's your ‘get around town’ vehicle. And if you barely drive it, consider getting a battery maintainer to keep it topped up.
When you get your car serviced, the battery should be checked – but if your car starts slower than usual or electronics feel weak, get it looked at.
2. Wheel or Tyre Damage
Your wheels and tyres take a constant beating from potholes, curbs, and general road grime. So it’s no surprise they’re high up the breakdown list.
What causes issues:
- Hitting potholes or kerbs.
- Low tread or worn tyres.
- Slow punctures from nails or sharp stuff.
- Damaged rims from impacts.
Always have a spare tyre and a portable air pump with you. Flat tyres make handling harder and can lead to even worse damage if ignored.
Oh, and while we’re on the topic of damage – if your windscreen has a crack, get it fixed ASAP. Like dodgy tyres, small cracks can quickly turn into something dangerous.
3. Incorrect Engine Oil Levels
Too much oil? Bad. Not enough oil? Also bad.
Running the wrong level of engine oil can seriously damage your engine. If you’ve got a diesel car with a DPF (diesel particulate filter), low oil can even cause it to clog, leading to bigger (and more expensive) problems.
Use your dipstick to check the level – it should be between the two lines. If you’re unsure how to top it up, check your handbook or pop into a garage.
Pro tip: Overfilling can be just as harmful as running dry, so don’t freestyle it.
4. Timing Belt Failure
The timing belt (or chain) is basically what keeps your engine running in sync. If it fails, it can cause massive damage – we’re talking engine-replacement levels of bad.
The main culprits? Old or degraded engine oil, and skipping your regular servicing.
If your car starts making weird ticking or knocking sounds, don’t ignore it. A quick check at the garage could save you thousands.
5. Alternator Problems
Your alternator keeps your battery charged and powers the electrics while driving. If it’s failing, you might notice:
- Dim lights when idling.
- The battery warning light flashing up.
- Engine running hotter than usual.
This is one of those issues that gets worse fast, so if anything feels off – especially your lights or dash warnings – call your garage or breakdown service immediately.
How to Stay Road-Trip Ready
You don’t need to be a mechanic to spot signs something’s wrong. Strange noises, warning lights, sluggish starts – trust your gut if your car doesn’t feel right.
Modern cars are getting better at alerting you to problems, but they’re not perfect. So don’t wait for a warning light to tell you what you already suspect.
With summer trips coming up, now’s the time to book that service, check your tyres, and give your engine a once-over. A quick check now could save you a whole day stuck on the side of the motorway later.
