What to check before a long car journey

Before embarking on a lengthy journey in your car, it is vital that you carry out a few basic checks - or you may risk being stuck on the hard shoulder waiting for roadside recovery assistance.

This could be a real problem if you are hitting the road in order to attend an important business meeting, while if you are going on holiday you will not want to waste hours because your car has broken down.

If you are planning to travel at night it is even more important you carry out an inspection of your car, as being left stranded on the road in the dark could put you at risk - particularly from the other motorists speeding by who might not be able to see you.

So, just what vehicle checks do you need to conduct before you get behind the wheel?

The first and arguably most important task is to look at your tyres. You should carry out a thorough visual inspection of them all - including the spare in your boot - to see if there are any tears or patches that look worn. If there are, they may need replacing as it could point towards a slow puncture.

Next, get out your pressure gauge and ensure that the reading it takes matches that in your manufacturer's handbook. Not having the correct tyre pressure can see braking distances increase and fuel efficiency drop. Keep in mind that if your vehicle is full of heavy luggage or if you are carrying several passengers you may need to adjust the pressure accordingly.

Once you have given the tyres your attention it is time to pop the engine bonnet open and take a look under there.

There are three main things to check when it comes to this part of the car - the water or engine coolant, oil and windscreen washer levels.

Don't assume that all of these will have been examined during your MOT as very often the mechanic will not look at the oil level, so it could be much lower than you think.

You can find out by removing the dipstick and wiping it on a piece of cloth, replacing it and then checking that it comes up to the correct marker on the device. By cleaning the stick first you will have a more accurate idea of how low the level is.

It is possible to pick up oil from many petrol station convenience stores and automobile shops so you should have no problem topping it up using a funnel if necessary.

The water or engine coolant is also something that will need to be checked as if it is not at the correct level your motor will be at risk of over-heating, which can cause it to break down. If the weather is cool you may also require antifreeze.

Finally, have a look inside your windscreen washer container. It may not seem important but a dirty windscreen can cause a significant obstruction to your vision, posing a risk to yourself and other road users.

Once all of these checks have been performed you can turn your attention to the windscreen. If you have noticed any small cracks or chips it is best to get them repaired before you embark on a long journey to prevent them getting worse. The same goes for if your wiper blades look worn or damaged, as should it rain it is vital that they work.

Finally, test all your lights, including the brakes and indicators, as if one of these is broken it could be misleading for other drivers or even illegal.