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After the festive season, the Easter holidays give you another chance to take a break from work and spend time with your loved ones. This can mean long road trips to unwind and ensure your car meets the safety checks before you set off for a well-deserved break. Read on to learn more about safety checks to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy.

What Does Roadworthiness Mean?

Before you can drive your vehicle, specific safety regulations must be met. Even though you receive a roadworthy certificate when purchasing it, you still need to ensure it’s always in excellent condition to operate on public roads. This means it must comply with necessary inspections to test whether the tyres, brakes and related mechanical accessories are safe to drive your car on public roads.

The Ultimate Easter Roadworthiness Checklist

A roadworthiness checklist can help detect potential concerns that could lead to road accidents. You can prevent unwanted mechanical breakdowns and meet the recommended safety standards during your road trip. These are the main things to include in your checklist:

Checking Your Tyres

• Ensure tyres have at least 1.6mm tread depth (the legal minimum). Worn tyres are dangerous on wet roads.
• Look for cracks, bulges, or uneven wear.
• Check and maintain the correct tyre pressure.
• Check if the spare wheel is inflated and in good condition.

Inspecting Your Brakes

• Your brake pads may be worn out if you hear squeaking or grinding.
• Test the handbrake; it may need adjusting if it feels loose or weak.

Lights and Indicators

• Test headlights, brake lights, reverse lights, fog lights, and indicators.
• Replace any blown bulbs before your trip.

Windscreen and Wipers

• Cracks or chips in the windscreen can obstruct vision, worsen, and cause the windscreen to shatter while driving.
• Test the wipers and top up washer fluid in case of rain or dirt buildup.

Battery Health

• A weak or old battery may not last the journey and could lead you stranded in the middle of nowhere.
• Check the dashboard warning lights when you start the engine.

Fluids and Oil Levels

• Engine oil (low oil can cause engine failure).
• Coolant (prevents overheating).
• Brake fluid.
• Power steering fluid.
• Windscreen washer fluid.

Suspension and Steering

• Check the alignment if your car pulls to one side or feels bumpy.
• Any knocking sounds while driving could indicate worn suspension components.

Exhaust System

• Unusual smoke or a loud exhaust could indicate a leak or emissions issue.

Must-Have Legal & Emergency Essentials

Even if your car is mechanically sound, you must be legally and practically prepared for roadblocks and emergencies. Your driver’s license should be valid, and the vehicle registration should be up to date. A fully packed first aid kit can be valuable in case of a medical or road accident while on the road.

Easter Travel Safety Tips

Beyond roadworthiness, you still must consider road safety tips. It can be dangerous to be on the road if other motorists drive recklessly. Things to prioritise include:

• Plan your route carefully and rely on your FREE-to-use iER App in case of emergencies.
• Resting if you’re driving long distances.
• Avoid packing heavy items, which affects fuel efficiency, the vehicle’s stability, and the brake system.
• Follow a safe following distance and drive defensively with the caution of other drivers.

The Importance of a Pre-Holiday Car Service

Before driving long distances, booking a full car service is necessary. This can ensure your vehicle is in proper condition, and a professional mechanic can thoroughly inspect hidden faults that might compromise your safety. If you don’t know how to inspect brakes, tyre rotation and alignment, it can affect your driving experience and lead to unwanted emergencies.

A car service can ensure you navigate the roads with confidence. You can ease your mind about battery health or whether your engine runs smoothly. You can be road trip-ready and enjoy a stress-free holiday knowing a professional has assessed any concerns.

Your Easter holiday should be about making memories, not dealing with breakdowns or accidents. Taking the time to ensure your car is roadworthy can save lives when on the road. Understand the main things to check before you plan your trip and rely on your FREE-to-use iER App to ensure you have immediate access to 24/7 roadside assistance when faced with a breakdown or accident unexpectedly.