If your car’s been standing idle for some time, you’ll need to make sure that everything’s right before setting off again on a long trip in it.

Follow these top tips and you’ll avoid unnecessary bills and roadside hassle.

Check your oil level

Your car’s oil and coolant play a vital role in keeping your engine running smoothly. Checking and topping up your engine oil is quick and straightforward. Lift your bonnet and locate the dipstick. Pull the dipstick out and wipe off all the oil with a cloth. You should notice two marks or grooves on the dipstick, which indicate the minimum and maximum oil levels. When it’s clean, reinsert the dipstick back into its tube, then remove it again. If the oil level is halfway between the minimum and maximum markers you don’t need to add any oil. If it’s below halfway, you should add some engine oil. If it’s below the minimum level mark, you will definitely need to top-up your oil.

Check your coolant level

It’s important that you check your engine coolant levels. Coolant prevents your engine from overheating in hot weather and freezing in colder weather. It’s stored in a clear plastic container usually located near the radiator. There will be a mark or sticker on the container to indicate the correct fluid level. Top-up the fluid to ensure it remains at the correct level.

Top up your windscreen washer fluid

This is a simple DIY check. The reserve is usually close to the top of the engine and is often marked with a windscreen wiper icon. If you can see that the fluid level is low, top it up, based on the manufacturer’s recommended dilution where applicable.

Check your battery health

If you’ve only been doing very short trips in your car, or haven’t driven at all for several weeks, your battery may have gone flat as it won’t have been able to recharge over longer trips. As soon as it is safe to do so, we recommend going for a longer drive, at least 30 minutes, to make sure the battery has a chance to recharge. If you’re having trouble starting your car for the first time in a while, you may need to jump start the vehicle to get it going so that you can drive and recharge the battery. If possible, trickle charge the car’s battery overnight.

It's also a good idea to visually inspect the battery terminals, making sure they’re secure and corrosion-free. If your car has been sat idle, particularly in damp conditions, the terminals may have rusted which could affect the power supply to and from your car’s battery.

Check your tyres

Due to less use, your tyres could have deflated or even developed cracks. Before you set off, check your tyres (including the spare) for any splits, holes or tears. Look for any glass or nails that could cause a puncture or tear in the future.

Next, check the depth of tread on each tyre. In the UK and Europe, the legal minimum tread depth for cars is 1.6mm. The tread must meet this minimum across its entire circumference. The easiest way to verify whether your tyres have a deep enough tread is to use a 20p coin. Place the coin in the main tread grooves of your tyre. If you can see the outer band of the coin face at any point this is an indication that the tyre is likely to be below the legal limit so you should arrange a professional inspection by a mechanic.

Check your tyre pressures

Ensure that your tyres are inflated to the recommended pressures by checking the guidelines in your car’s handbook or on the panel inside the driver’s door. You can check tyre pressure using a handheld tyre pressure gauge, or if you don’t have one of those handy you can check and top up your pressure at most petrol stations.

Check your brakes

It’s important to always keep your brakes in tip-top condition, as they are arguably the most important safety feature in your car. When a car has been left standing for long periods, as it may have been during lockdown, issues can arise with your brakes.

Sticking brakes are a common problem if a car has not been used for a while. Most cars use disc brakes, which include brake pads, rotors, and callipers. Over time, particularly if your car has seen little usage recently, parts of your brakes can become rusty. As the surfaces will be covered in a light coating of corrosion, you'll notice a sticky sensation in your brakes and a grinding or squealing noise.

This soon clears away as you drive, but remember that your brakes won’t be fully effective until the surface corrosion has worn away, so drive cautiously until your brakes return to normal. If the noises and sticking sensation continues your brake pads or discs may need replacing, so should be inspected by a mechanic.

Check your fuel level

Cars parked for an extended period of time can suffer from moisture gathering in an empty fuel tank. This can cause rust to build up inside it. To get round this, simply fill up the tank completely, or even add a stabiliser fluid to keep it fresh.

Check your car’s exterior

While sitting on a driveway or on the road, it is likely that leaves or debris might have gotten stuck on the outside of your car. Before setting off, it is worth checking air intakes on the front bumper, as well as the lower part of the windscreen to remove anything getting in the way.

Try the car’s doors and handles

You should check all of your car’s doors, including the boot, and lubricate locks and moving parts where necessary. Lastly, for longer trips, it is a good idea to pack a fully charged mobile phone, phone charger, jacket, blanket, snacks, breakdown cover details, torch, and ideally a high-vis vest and warning triangle.

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