Breaking down on the side of the road is something that any motorist wants to avoid. Although breakdowns are perhaps more likely in winter months when the road conditions are bad, it’s a risk at any time of the year. Some breakdowns just can’t be predicted. But many other break downs happen because drivers have ignored warning signs or aren’t prepared for their journey. If you’re prepared with an emergency breakdown kit in the boot of the car, this should make things a whole lot easier if you do have the misfortune of breaking down.

Maintenance and Servicing

You can’t expect your car to keep running reliably forever if you’re not prepared to put in the effort to service and look after it properly. Don’t neglect the little things like topping up the windscreen wash and pumping up the tyres, or the bigger things like getting the oil filter changed or booking the car in for its annual MOT check. Keeping on top of the servicing gives the experts the opportunity to pick up on minor issues which could quickly develop into major issues, if left unchecked. Don’t ignore faults pointed out by your mechanic, or advisories on your MOT pass certificate. It could all come back to haunt you if you break down in the pouring rain on the side of the motorway.

What to Have in the Boot

We’re not suggesting that you pack for every eventuality and keep a huge amount of stuff in your boot. But it makes a lot of sense to have an emergency kit for every eventuality. Your breakdown bag should include:

Paperwork – you’re going to need the number of your breakdown recovery service if you’re a member, and potentially the number for your insurance company too.

Hi-vis jacket – these are compulsory in many European countries but not something we routinely carry in cars in the UK. However, if you break down at night or in poor weather conditions, being seen quickly by other traffic is essential.

Puncture repair kit – these are more commonly associated with bicycles but can be used in emergency situations where you can’t change the wheel. Products like Tyreweld can seal up the puncture and let you inflate the tyre enough to get to the nearest garage.

Torch – always handy for trying to diagnose the problem when it’s very dark and you’ve only got your mobile phone torch for help.

Food and drink – most breakdown services promise to get to you within a couple of hours. But it’s still a good idea to have a bottle of water and some snacks to keep you going until they arrive.

Fuel can – one of the most common reasons for breaking down is running out of fuel. Having a can and a funnel in the boot means you can leave your car to get fuel, and have something to carry it back in.

Power bank – you’re going to want to use your mobile if you break down, and the battery might quickly run down. A power bank will provide enough juice to keep you connected.