It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but unfortunately, winter’s the peak time for car breakdowns.
Many cars suffer similar issues, which means we know what to expect and can help you do something about it.
Here we look at the top reasons why cars break down and some tips you can follow to keep yours on the road.
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Drivers across the UK run into some kind of tyre trouble every 90 seconds – that’s around 40 flat tyres, blowouts, or punctures every hour.
Around 360,000 people were faced with a flat tyre last year, but do you know what to do if it happens to you? According to research by Green Flag, around 40% of drivers said they would have a go at fixing a flat tyre themselves.
If you’re someone who likes rolling their sleeves up but wouldn’t know where to start, we’re here with a guide on how to change a tyre.
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When winter hits, breakdowns get more frequent, and it pays to be prepared. Especially with your battery.
November to January is peak season for breakdowns, and batteries are one of the biggest culprits. Green Flag’s callouts for flat batteries increase 60% in the winter, especially on those dreaded Monday mornings (when cars that have been parked up over the weekend can’t face the commute either).
Getting off to a false start at the beginning of the week is no fun at all, but luckily, we’re here with some tips to keep your battery feeling positive.
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When your MOT comes around you hope that your car passes the test without it costing too much of your hard-earned cash.
You never know if it’s going to sail through with no problems or if there are a load of defects that need patching up before you can get back on the road.
However, there are some things you can do to give your car a better chance of passing its MOT the first time. And thankfully, you’ll find them all right here…
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Have you ever been happily driving along when you suddenly get that sinking feeling and realise your MOT has expired?
You won’t be the first person that’s ever happened to, and you certainly won’t be the last.
According to research by Green Flag, almost a quarter of MOTs were carried out late in 2023. That’s 7.6 million vehicle owners risking a fine by driving without a valid MOT.
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The number of cars breaking down each year is on the rise, fuelled in part by the increasing average age of vehicles on the road.
Our data shows the average age of cars on British roads has risen by 42% over the past 20 years, from 6.6 years old in 2003 to 9.4 years in 2023.
They say that with age comes wisdom. Well, it can also come with the occasional breakdown…
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Our new research reveals that an incredible 96% of drivers cannot accurately identify the meaning of all their dashboard warning signs. Can you?
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As motorists across the country are packing their suitcases, we’re predicting a seven per cent increase in breakdowns during summer. That means around 150,000 callouts for our mechanics to provide support over the summer.
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Our research reveals that a car key-related callout took place every seven minutes in 2024. According to our data, two-thirds (62 per cent) of car key callouts were a result of drivers locking their keys in the car. A further fifth of callouts were for keys being jammed in the lock or ignition, whilst 12 per cent were a result of lost keys.
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There can be significant dangers to safety posed by old tyres. Especially during the summer when warmer roads put more strain on them.
Because of this, the Government banned tyres older than 10 years from heavier vehicles in 2021. But what about ageing tyres on regular cars? Read on to find out.
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With wild weather and unpredictable temperatures, spring car care can be tricky. There’s a lot to think about.
Thankfully, we’ve got some expert advice to help you out.
Here, our Technical Customer Support Manager, Scott Wilson, explains how best to look after your motor over the next few months.
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It’s important to prevent overheating when driving. It’s as much of a pain for the driver as it is for the vehicle.
So, as temperatures increase, here are five tips to help keep your vehicle cool this summer.
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We know it’s a British stereotype to chat about the weather, but come on. Summer 2023 is already a weird one. After one of the wettest winters on record, the UK is now seeing scorching temperatures, warm thunderstorms, and weather warnings.
When it’s 30 degrees one minute and thunder’s echoing around your house the next, vehicle care can get confusing. Here’s the latest on what to prepare for, and how to prepare.
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We talk about breakdown cover a lot, it’s our bread and butter. But sometimes it can be confused with vehicle insurance – something you legally need to drive in the UK.
Breakdown cover is a form of insurance for your vehicle. But, it isn’t vehicle insurance. Nice and confusing, we know.
So, to simplify things a bit, let’s break down what vehicle insurance actually is (and how it’s different from breakdown cover).
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As electric vehicles become more popular, EV charging points are popping up in more public places.
But there’s nothing quite like the luxury of having a personal EV charging unit at home.
After the effort of finding the right car, finding the right charging unit shouldn’t be a hassle. That’s why we’ve connected with Rightcharge to help you find the right charger for your vehicle, from the right installer, and all for the right price.
Here’s everything you need to know about EV home charging units.
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It’s important to get an MOT before your current one runs out to stay on top of your vehicle’s health. But, what is it? And what happens if you don’t get one?
We’ve put all things MOT in one place to help answer your questions.
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This year, we started something new. Our very own Green Flag patrol team.
It’s something we’re incredibly excited about, so we wanted to explain what it is, why we’ve done it, and how it’ll help our customers.
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The electric vehicle market is growing. Quickly. And with government plans to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, the charge of the EV is showing no signs of slowing down.
EVs are exciting, but from a breakdown recovery perspective (one of our favourite perspectives), they are one of the biggest challenges in our industry right now.
Luckily, we like a challenge. That’s why we’re proud to announce that at the end of 2022, more of our technicians became Institute of the Motor Industry Level 3 and 4 qualified to work on EVs.
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Christmas and January deals can be hard to resist. It’s on offer, so we need to get it… right?
Not quite.
This year, you could take advantage of the right deals and give your vehicle some TLC. Depending on what you buy, you could save money now and in the long run!
Here are some things that’ll help keep vehicles healthy and drivers happy.
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Nobody wants to deal with a breakdown. In fact, that may be the only thing every driver has in common.
It can be a significant inconvenience, cost you money, and it could even pose a danger to yourself, passengers, and others around you.
But, it’s not all doom and gloom. We have good news. There are some simple pre-drive checks you can do that will (hopefully) lower your chances of breaking down.
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