When we think about staying safe on the road, avoiding distractions while driving is often one of the first things that comes to mind. Keeping your attention on the road is essential, but the condition of the car you’re driving matters just as much.
Regular car maintenance isn’t only about preventing an inconvenient breakdown or avoiding an expensive repair bill. Problems with your brakes, tyres, lights or visibility can affect how safely you’re able to stop, steer and respond to what is happening around you. Even if your car has a valid MOT, it is still important to keep an eye on its condition between tests and deal with problems as soon as you notice them.
Fortunately, many of the maintenance issues that can increase the risk of an accident are relatively easy to spot. Here are some of the most important car maintenance fails to look out for and why you shouldn’t ignore them.
Worn-Out Brakes
Your brakes are one of your car’s most important safety systems, so any change in the way they feel or sound shouldn’t be ignored. Brake pads naturally wear down over time, and leaving them too long before replacement can reduce braking performance and potentially increase your stopping distance.
Squeaking, squealing or grinding noises can all be signs that your brakes need attention, but sound isn’t the only thing to look out for. You might also notice the car taking longer to stop than usual, pulling to one side when braking, vibrations through the brake pedal or steering wheel, or a brake warning light appearing on the dashboard.
If something doesn’t feel right, it’s worth having the brakes checked rather than waiting until your next service or MOT. Being able to stop safely and predictably can make all the difference when you need to react quickly to traffic, a pedestrian stepping into the road or another unexpected hazard.
Tyres That Are No Longer Road-Safe
Your tyres are the only part of your car in direct contact with the road, so their condition has a significant effect on grip, braking and handling. As tyres wear and the tread becomes shallower, their ability to maintain grip can be reduced, particularly on wet roads where there is an increased risk of aquaplaning.
In the UK, cars must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its entire circumference. However, tread depth isn’t the only thing worth checking. Look for uneven wear, cuts, cracks or bulges in the tyre and don’t ignore anything that looks unusual.
Tyre pressure matters too. Incorrectly inflated tyres can affect the way your car handles, increase tyre wear and, in some circumstances, contribute to tyre failure. Check your pressures regularly when the tyres are cold and use the recommended figures for your particular vehicle, which can usually be found in the owner’s manual or on a label inside the car.
Getting into the habit of giving your tyres a quick visual check can help you spot problems before they become more serious, particularly before a long journey or when you’re carrying a heavier load than usual.
Neglecting Chips on Your Windscreen
A small chip in your windscreen can be easy to overlook, particularly if it isn’t directly in your line of sight. However, changes in temperature, vibrations from driving and further impacts can cause existing damage to become worse, potentially turning a small chip into a much larger crack.
Damage to the windscreen can also affect visibility, which is why it’s worth dealing with chips and cracks sooner rather than later. If you notice any damage, particularly within the area directly in front of the driver, arrange for it to be assessed to find out whether it can be repaired or whether the windscreen needs replacing.
Prompt auto glass repair can prevent relatively minor damage from becoming a bigger problem and may save you from needing a complete windscreen replacement. It’s also worth checking your windscreen regularly when cleaning the car, as smaller chips aren’t always immediately noticeable from the driver’s seat.
Faulty or Ineffective Lights
Being able to see clearly is only part of staying safe on the road; other road users also need to be able to see you. Headlights, brake lights and indicators all play an important role, particularly when driving at night or in poor weather, so it’s worth checking them regularly rather than waiting for a warning light or MOT failure to alert you to a problem.
If a bulb has failed, replace it promptly with the correct type for your vehicle. You can find replacement headlight bulbs and other automotive lighting from specialist suppliers such as XenonsOnline.com, but always check that the bulb you choose is compatible with your make and model. It’s also a good idea to keep your lights clean, as dirt and road grime can reduce their effectiveness.
Pay attention to headlight alignment too. Lights that aren’t correctly adjusted can make it harder for you to see the road ahead and may dazzle oncoming drivers. If you notice that your headlights seem unusually high, low or uneven, have them checked rather than trying to compensate while driving.
Worn or Damaged Windscreen Wipers
Windscreen wipers are easy to forget about until you’re caught in heavy rain and realise they’re no longer clearing the glass properly. Worn or damaged blades can leave streaks, judder across the windscreen or miss areas altogether, reducing your visibility when you need it most.
Check the rubber blades occasionally for signs of splitting or deterioration and make sure your windscreen washer fluid is topped up too. If your wipers are smearing rather than clearing the glass, try cleaning both the blades and windscreen first; if that doesn’t improve things, it may be time to replace them.
It’s a particularly useful check to make before a long journey and during the wetter months, when poor visibility combined with wet roads can make driving conditions more challenging.
Ignoring Dashboard Warning Lights
It’s tempting to put off investigating a dashboard warning light, particularly if the car still seems to be driving normally. However, warning lights are there to alert you to a potential problem, and some indicate faults that could affect the safety or reliability of your vehicle.
Not every warning light means you need to stop immediately, so it’s useful to know what the different symbols on your dashboard mean. Your vehicle handbook should explain each one and tell you what action to take. As a general rule, red warning lights usually require more urgent attention, while amber or yellow lights indicate something that should be checked as soon as possible.
If you’re unsure what a warning light means or it remains illuminated, don’t simply ignore it or wait for your next MOT. Check your vehicle handbook and, where necessary, arrange for the car to be inspected by a qualified mechanic. Acting early may prevent a relatively small problem from developing into a more serious or expensive fault.
Stay on Top of the Small Checks
Keeping your car in good condition isn’t only about avoiding breakdowns or unexpected repair bills. Regular checks can help you spot potential safety issues before they become more serious, whether that’s worn tyres, a change in the way your brakes feel, a damaged windscreen, faulty lights or something as simple as wiper blades that are no longer clearing the glass properly.
You don’t need to be a car expert to notice when something doesn’t look, sound or feel right. Getting into the habit of checking your car regularly and dealing with problems promptly can help keep it roadworthy and make everyday journeys safer for you, your passengers and everyone else on the road.