Seven vehicle safety checks you need to make to avoid fines of £2,500

North Wales has recently enjoyed scorching temperatures and there is a second heatwave on its way next month.

With so much uncertainty remaining around international travel people are choosing to stay closer to home – and North Wales was named the best destination to go to.

Whether you’re travelling here for a mini-break or you’re lucky enough to live here and are out to enjoy the incredible beauty spots on your doorstep, you need to make sure your car is fit to get you there and back.

READ MORE: Eight driving laws people break during a heatwave without releasing it

Motor experts Leasing Options has warned drivers of seven common safety checks they should make to prevent a vehicle breakdown.

Failure to do so could land you with a hefty fine of up to £2,500 and even three points on your license for using a vehicle ‘in a dangerous condition’.

They also warned that if the offence is committed within three years of a previous conviction for a similar offence, then drivers could face disqualification.

Mike Thompson, Director at Leasing Options advises “After a year of uncertainty for the public, it’s great to see people taking a well-deserved break and heading out on road trips. However, it’s important that before starting the journey, drivers carry out some simple quick checks to ensure their vehicle is in a safe condition to drive long distances.

“Motorists who fail to do so could risk breaking down mid-journey and also face a fine if their vehicle is deemed in a dangerous condition.

“To prevent this from happening drivers should check the interior and exterior of their cars for any faults before setting off on their fun staycation.”

Here are Leasing Options seven safety checks – and how much they will cost to repair or replace:

Check for signs of a slow tyre puncture

Repair cost per tyre on average: £35

Not all tyre punctures make themselves known immediately. Often slow punctures can go undetected for a long time, resulting in a slow loss of air which then leads to a drop in pressure. This puts all passengers in danger as the tyre can’t perform to its full potential.

You should check for signs of a slow puncture before your road trip by checking your tyres with a tyre pressure gauge (available at most petrol stations). The biggest warning signs to watch out for are if your vehicle is pulling more to one side when driving straight or vibrations in your steering wheel, especially at high speed, caused by the wheel becoming uneven from a tyre losing air.

To check the tyre pressure, details of its recommended PSI for each tyre are usually found on the inside door frame or within your vehicle handbook.

A hard clutch pedal is a sign of a failing clutch cable

Clutch replacement cost on average: £475

For manual cars every time you change gear the clutch comes under pressure. Over time this can affect a vehicle’s clutch cables. One major sign of a failing clutch pedal is a hard clutch pedal. A cable experiencing problems will struggle to move when the clutch pedal is pressed resulting in a pedal that resists depression when stepped on. If you continue to press on the pedal when this is occurring, it could cause the cable to break. The result of this will be an inoperable clutch pedal.

If you notice a change in how your clutch feels, you must take your vehicle to get checked out immediately. Driving with faulty clutch cables could cause a serious accident.

Beware of tyre valve failure

Repair cost per tyre on average: £35

Tyre valve failure can be a cause of slow tyre puncture, so it is important motorists know how to check if their tyre valve is failing. One handy way to check this at home is adding some washing-up liquid to water, removing the valve cap, and brush the liquid over the tyre valve. If bubbles begin to form then it is most likely the vehicle has a tyre valve failure.

Check for signs of a coolant leak to avoid the engine overheating

Average car radiator replacement cost: £200

The vehicle’s radiator is the key component in the larger cooling system within a car, it’s designed to allow coolant to flow through it. The coolant is pumped around the system via the water pump, the radiator is generally situated at the front of the vehicle and low down to allow the cooler dense air to flow through it when driving.

The airflow cools the coolant inside the radiator reducing its temperature, as this flows around the system and back towards the engine, maintaining optimum running temperature. When the vehicle is in slow-moving traffic or stationary you may hear the radiator/coolant fan turn on, these are designed to draw air through the radiator mimicking airflow and cooling the coolant.

To do this, the vehicle needs its coolant at maximum level and any leaks within the whole system will reduce the radiator’s ability to cool the coolant, causing the engine to run hotter than its design, thus causing damage. When conducting your weekly or monthly checks and you notice the coolant level dropping, have a nose around the engine bay for signs of leaks or look for weeping around the lower parts of the front bumper.

Have dim or flickering car lights? There could be a fault with your car alternator

Average car alternator replacement cost: £275

The alternator is responsible for supplying the electrical needs of a vehicle, when there is a problem with the alternator it begins to show through car features that use electricity. One of the most common signs to watch out for is dimming and flickering headlights or an electric speedometer no longer working.

If your car temperature rises quickly and the ignition warning light comes this could be a warning sign that the belt that drives the alternator and water pump could have a fault. In this case, you should not attempt to restart your vehicle.

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Check for symptoms of a flat or faulty battery

Average new battery cost: £150

A flat or faulty battery is one of the most common causes of breakdowns in the UK. There are several symptoms to watch out for if you think you have a flat or faulty car battery. The average cost of a new car battery in the UK is £150. Below are some of the main and most common ones to check for:

The engine takes longer to turn on and may make grinding noise

Car features such as the radio and headlights won’t turn on

The car won’t start when you turn the ignition on

The battery warning light is illuminated on your dashboard

Check your tyre tread to avoid breaking the law

New tyre cost average: £79 (Based on Ford Fiesta)

It is a legal requirement in the UK that tyre tread depth for cars is at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. The tread must reach this minimum requirement across its complete circumference.

Otherwise, your vehicle will be deemed in a dangerous condition to drive and driving it in such a condition will be breaking the law. Our research shows that a single new tyre for a Ford Fiesta, the most popular car in 2020, could cost anywhere from £42-£116.

The easiest way to check your tyre tread depth is with a 20p coin. Take the coin and insert it into the tread grooves on the tyre. If you can see the outer band on the coin, then your tyres could be below the legal limit and will require a professional to take a look at them.

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