The Howards Pre-Holiday Health Check: What to Inspect Before Your Devon & Dorset Staycation Drive

The Ultimate Pre-Holiday Car Health Check

Before any long summer drive to the coast, get five things checked: tyre pressure and tread, coolant level, air conditioning, brake wear, and battery health. The best time to do this is about a week before you travel, not the morning you're due to leave, when there's no time left to fix anything that turns up.

Every summer, Howards' service teams across Somerset, Dorset and Devon see the same pattern: a steady stream of breakdown call-outs and last-minute walk-ins on the Friday before a bank holiday weekend, almost all for things that would have taken ten minutes to spot a week earlier.

Why this matters more in the South West

A lot of summer driving here isn't a quick motorway hop — it's a fully loaded car, a roof box or bike rack, kids and luggage, taking on the A303 through to Dorset, the A35 along the Jurassic Coast, or the A30/A380 down into Devon. Add in steep hills around Exmoor and Dartmoor, narrow lanes, and stop-start holiday traffic, and a car that's just about coping with the daily commute can start showing weaknesses it never has before.

Curving country road surrounded by green fields and distant hills.

The pre-holiday checklist

1. Tyres

Check tread depth (legal minimum is 1.6mm, but we'd recommend replacing well before that) and inflate to the pressure for a loaded car, not the everyday setting — most manufacturers list a separate "full load" pressure in the handbook or on the door sill sticker. Underinflated tyres are one of the biggest causes of breakdowns on long, hot motorway runs.

2. Coolant

Sitting in traffic with the engine running generates more heat than cruising at speed. Low coolant is one of the most common causes of summer breakdowns, and it's a five-minute check when the engine is cold.

3. Air conditioning

Air con loses a small amount of refrigerant naturally each year, even if nothing's wrong with it. If it's blowing lukewarm rather than cold, it's worth a recharge before you're stuck in standstill traffic on the A35 in August.

4. Brakes

Towing, a fully loaded boot, and unfamiliar hilly roads all put more strain on brakes than a normal commute. Listen for any grinding or squealing, and if it's been more than 12 months since they were last checked, get them looked at.

5. Battery

Short journeys, a car left on the drive while you're away, and the extra electrical load from sat-nav, phone chargers and air con all draw down a battery that might already be on its last legs. A quick health check takes minutes and avoids a flat battery on the morning you're due to leave

DIY or book it in?

Tyre pressure and tread depth you can check yourself in any garage forecourt or with a cheap gauge at home. Coolant level is a quick visual check under the bonnet. Air con performance, brake wear, and battery health are best left to a technician with the right diagnostic kit; Particularly battery health, since a battery can test "fine" on a basic voltage check but still be close to failing under load.

Book before the rush

Howards' service centres across Weston-super-Mare, Taunton, Yeovil, Dorchester and Barnstaple all offer pre-holiday health checks, and we'd always recommend booking the week before half term or a bank holiday rather than the day before — slots fill up fast once the school holidays start.

Sandy beach with people walking, bordered by grassy dunes, under a sky with streaked clouds.

Frequently asked questions

How long before a trip should I get my car checked?

Around a week before you travel. That gives enough time to order parts or book a follow-up appointment if anything needs attention, without leaving it so early that something else changes in the meantime.

Can I check my tyre pressure myself?

Yes — most petrol station forecourts have a free or low-cost air pump with a built-in pressure gauge. Check the loaded pressure figure in your handbook or door sill sticker if you're carrying extra weight.

Does air conditioning need an annual service?

Most manufacturers recommend a recharge every one to two years, even if it still feels reasonably cold, since refrigerant levels drop gradually over time.

What should I do if my car overheats on the way?

Pull over safely as soon as you can, switch off the engine, and let it cool before checking coolant level. Never remove the coolant cap while the engine is hot.

Where can I book a pre-holiday check?

At any Howards site in Weston-super-Mare, Taunton, Yeovil, Dorchester or Barnstaple. Just get in touch with your local service department to book a slot.