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If you want to truly enjoy your family road trip, what’s more important than a comfortable, nice car is a reliable one. You don’t want to be yet another Range Rover on a hard shoulder waiting for help.
That’s not a mandate to go out and get a new car, of course, but instead to fully inspect your own and make sure it’s fit and ready.
In 2023, out of the 10 most common reasons for MOT failure in the UK, worn brake components ranked second, so that’s where we’ll begin…
The all-important brakes
Many drivers underestimate how much wear on the front and rear brake pads can affect the overall handling of the car, especially on busy roads or when towing a trailer. The increased weight of a fully loaded vehicle, particularly if there are 5 or even 7 of you, demands optimal brake performance.
According to information from autodoc.co.uk, the service life of brake pads is on average 15,000–30,000 km, a range that can be shortened by heavy use or aggressive, erratic driving. So, a pre-trip inspection is well needed.
A visual check is the first step, of course, as this can check brake pad wear. AUTODOC experts suggest that “First, you need to examine discs and pads visually, then measure their thickness. The components are to be replaced if their thickness is close to the minimum value specified in the car manual. After this, you need to make sure that the system is leak-proof by pressing the brake pedal a few times while the engine is shut down. If the pedal is spongy, i.e. has no resistance, the brakes are faulty.”
Other pre-trip checks
Tire integrity is also important for the brakes to function properly, so check the tread depth using the 20p test (or your own localised method) and adjust the tire pressure to the manufacturer’s recommendation for a full vehicle – this can be found in the owner’s manual or on the driver’s side door jamb.
A complete fluid check is standard, but needed, and this means looking at the engine oil, coolant and even the windshield washer fluid. Though, don’t just check once, as these can deplete surprisingly quickly on a non-stop trip.
A quick inspection of all exterior lights, along with any child seats, is also important.
Don’t forget the in-car essentials
So, these checks should keep you safe and in a reliable position – the last thing you want is to break down in an unfamiliar country. But, what if you do anyway?
Here, you should prepare with a first aid kit, easy access to things like sunscreen, along with emergency food and water in case you break down in a rural area. A high-powered torch, jumper cables, power bank, and all documentation should also be kept in the car.
A safe trip is a happy trip
The safety and reliability of your vehicle is what’s going to give you the confidence to venture out to far-flung, improvised places like a hidden beach cove or mysterious mountain road. And, it goes without saying, but take a moment to read up on the local driving rules and etiquette, as there can be some small differences across borders.
