The night before
- Oil and coolant. Check levels cold. Top up if low; if it is very low, find out why before a 300-mile drive.
- Tyres. Pressures adjusted for a loaded car (the figures are inside the fuel flap or driver's door). Check tread and look for bulges or cuts. Check the spare, or that the puncture repair kit is in date.
- Lights. All of them, including brake lights and number plate lights. Carry spare bulbs if your car allows owner replacement.
- Screenwash. Full. Motorway spray empties it fast.
- Wipers. Replace if they streak.
Loading
Keep heavy items low and forward. Do not exceed the car's gross weight; a full family load plus roof box can get close. Nothing loose in the cabin. If towing, check noseweight and the caravan's tyre pressures too.
Electric cars
Plan charging stops before you leave, with a backup for each one. Charge to 100 per cent before departure for a long trip, aim to arrive at chargers with 15 to 20 per cent remaining, and have at least two charging network apps set up with payment details in advance.
Documents and cover
- Breakdown policy number and the emergency phone number written on paper.
- Driving licence, insurance certificate (digital is fine in the UK).
- If leaving the UK: passport, UK sticker, European breakdown cover, and any country-specific kit.
Cover level for the trip
If you only have roadside cover, a long journey is when you most need recovery and possibly onward travel. Upgrading before the trip is cheaper than a one-off recovery from the far end of the country. Buy at least 24 hours ahead to clear the waiting period.