In the last year, many of us have not been driving as much as normal and have only been using our vehicles for essential journeys.

50% of drivers said they were not doing as many miles as before in an AA poll completed in October 2020.

That’s why we’re promoting the DVSA SAFE campaign, sharing expert advice on the important car safety checks to do before your next essential journey.

Vehicles that are not used regularly can experience problems with tyres, lights, screen wash and more, especially when left over the colder winter months. These issues are not only an inconvenience when you do come to drive your vehicle, but they will also impact its safety on the roads.

But, millions of British drivers don’t know how to properly carry out vehicle maintenance.

So, remember these four basic car health checks before your next trip:

• Service or health check if needed

• Air in tyres

• Fill up screen wash

• Examine lights and tyre tread

Service or health check if needed

If you are worried about your car safety, get it checked by a trained professional for peace of mind. Perhaps the brakes are making a strange noise, or a warning light has appeared? Whatever it is, contact your local garage to book a service, health check, or early MOT and get back on the roads in no time.

Air in tyres

Your tyres must be correctly inflated, without any cuts or bulges. When sat for long periods, tyres can lose air, which will increase the risk of having an accident.

Consult your car manual for the recommended pressure for your tyres. Most petrol stations are equipped with pressure gauges and pumps, so you can check your tyre air pressure and fill them up if needed when you’re next there.

Remember to carefully check each tyre for any holes, cuts or bulges that can be dangerous to drive with. If you find any, it’s best to see an expert for a tyre fitting or replacement.

Fill up screen wash

Another easy vehicle maintenance check is to ensure your screen wash is filled up. Being able to see in front of you is one of the most important things when driving and spotting a hazard early could be the difference between having an accident and avoiding one.

Screen wash can be purchased from garages and some supermarkets; it helps to keep the windscreen clean, prevent streaks and stop wiper blades from freezing in winter.

To fill up your screen wash, simply lift the bonnet of your vehicle when the engine is cold and locate the screen wash bottle (if you are unsure where is it, consult your vehicle handbook). Assess how much fluid is remaining and top up if necessary. Most bottles hold around two litres of fluid, but check your vehicle handbook again to make sure you put the right amount in.

Examine lights and tyre tread

If your car has been sat unused for any length of time, one of the bulbs could have blown.

Make sure that ALL lights are all working before you set off. This means headlights, fog lights, brake lights, indicators and reverse lights. Turn them on and walk around your car, giving them a tap to check they aren’t loose. Test brake lights by reversing up to a garage door or window, press the brake and look for a reflection in the rearview mirror - or get a friend to help you check.

If you do find that any are broken, your car manual will explain how to change a bulb, or you can book a car bulb replacement at a garage.

Finally, it’s important to do a car tyre check focusing on tread depth. The legal requirement for tyre treads is 1.6mm, so making sure your tyres adhere to this will help to keep you safe on the roads - especially in wet and icy conditions. For more information on checking tread depth, including using a 20p coin, check out our guide to pre-MOT checks.

Doing simple vehicle safety checks or booking an appointment with a professional will ensure your car is safe and roadworthy when you need to use it.

If you had an MOT exemption last year, you might want to consider getting an early MOT if you want to go back to your original MOT date. Our workshop will be quieter in April and May, so you are likely to get an appointment of your choice.

We are offering services, health checks and early MOTs, so find your nearest centre to book. If you would like to find out more about the DVSA SAFE campaign or book an appointment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.