Workshops can play a key role in helping motorists avoid unexpected breakdowns this summer and beyond, as their importance helps keep the country moving.
Through preventative maintenance on key areas such as batteries, charging systems and tyres, technicians can improve both vehicle reliability and customer satisfaction. With the UK car parc getting older on average, keeping vehicles in good condition, and ensuring they do not leave drivers stranded on the side of the road, is essential.
PartsInMotion.co.uk is highlighting the crucial role played by garages, especially in a number of key areas that can often go unchecked by drivers.
Preventative maintenance helps to fix potentially known issues before they become serious. Not only can this ensure continued motoring, but it can also help to reduce costs in the future. Worn components can create further damage before they reach the end of their life, meaning more parts require replacing.
Key areas for preventative maintenance
There are several areas where basic preventative maintenance can be carried out, on areas that commonly fail over time and can leave vehicles broken down at the side of the road.
According to data from The AA, the most common cause of roadside breakdowns is battery failure. Batteries deteriorate over time and warning signs such as slow engine cranking, dim headlights and electrical issues often indicate a replacement is due. A battery change can help prevent minor issues from becoming a roadside recovery.
Charging system faults are another common contributor to breakdowns, as a failing alternator can prevent a battery from charging correctly. This can lead to warning lights, electrical issues and difficulty starting the vehicle. If left unaddressed, charging system faults can quickly escalate, meaning preventative maintenance is the best option to prevent further issues.
While battery and charging system faults often receive the most attention, tyre condition can be just as important when preventing roadside incidents. Incorrect tyre pressures, uneven wear and damaged sidewalls can all increase the risk of breakdowns and compromise vehicle safety.
Drivers are also increasingly not checking their tyre tread depth, meaning they can come close to, or exceed, the 1.6mm legal limit and not realise.
Stopping the breakdown
“Breakdowns are not only frustrating for drivers, but in many cases can be avoidable. Components such as batteries, charging systems and tyres often show signs of deterioration long before failure occurs, allowing workshops to intervene early through preventative maintenance,” said Matt Gates, Director at PartsInMotion.co.uk.
“This, together with routine inspections, can make a significant difference to vehicle reliability. By educating motorists on this, garages can help customers stay on the road while reinforcing the value that professional workshops provide.”
Routine inspections not only help identify potential faults before they develop but also provide opportunities to educate motorists on the importance of ongoing vehicle care, helping to improve reliability, safety and long-term vehicle performance.
By explaining to customers that work could help to prevent a breakdown and higher costs further down the line, this education can lead to increased respect between consumer and workshop. Indicating that work will be, rather than is, required, allows drivers to plan in advance for costs and practicality, with preventative maintenance easier to schedule.
