As the school holidays approach and families prepare for longer summer journeys, aftersales technicians at Vertu are warning that winter and pothole-season damage can remain hidden until a car is placed under sustained strain.
In a survey of Vertu’s aftersales technicians, 46% identified a weakened battery as the most common issue they see after winter. This was closely followed by pothole-related suspension and wheel alignment damage, cited by 44% of respondents.
Problems caused by cold temperatures, road salt and pothole-ridden roads often develop gradually, meaning drivers may not notice them until they become more serious.
Searches for ‘UK staycation ideas’ rising by 85% over the past three months points towards more people planning domestic breaks, where a reliable car can be just as important as the accommodation or destination.
Matt Salisbury, Senior PR Lead at Vertu, has provided insight into why winter weather can lead to these overlooked problems and said, “Drivers often think about seasonal maintenance before winter, but the end of winter is just as important as our latest aftersales survey revealed.
“Cold weather, road salt and months of pothole impacts can leave behind issues that are not always obvious when the car is only being used for short, everyday journeys, which means checking things through before summer is just as important.
“That is especially true for batteries, tyres and suspension. A battery may still start the car normally, even if winter use has weakened it, while a pothole impact can slowly affect alignment or tyre wear before the driver notices any change in how the car handles.”
He added, “Summer journeys can expose those problems because the car is being used differently. Longer motorway trips, heavier loads from passengers and luggage, and warmer weather all place more sustained demand on the vehicle than a short local journey.
“That is why post-winter checks are worth doing before the holiday period, rather than waiting for a warning light, vibration or breakdown. A Summer Health Check allows technicians to inspect the battery, tyres, suspension, fluids and other key areas before a small problem turns into a breakdown or a costly repair.”
Vertu has shared five checks to make before setting off:
1. Test your battery before longer motorway journeys.
Cold weather puts extra strain on your car’s battery, particularly when heaters, lights and heated screens are used more frequently. While the battery may still start the car normally, winter wear can reduce its reserve capacity and increase the risk of sudden failure during a long journey.
Have the battery tested before longer trips, especially if the car has been slow to start, the lights have dimmed when starting, or the battery is more than three years old. A quick test can identify weakening performance before it turns into a breakdown.
2. Book a wheel alignment check after pothole season
Winter freeze-thaw cycles create more potholes, and repeated impacts can gradually knock your wheels out of alignment. Even minor alignment issues can affect steering stability and cause uneven tyre wear, which becomes more noticeable at motorway speeds.
If your car pulls to one side, the steering wheel vibrates, or your tyres are wearing unevenly, it’s worth arranging an alignment check. Correcting the issue can improve handling, reduce tyre wear and make long-distance driving safer and more comfortable.
3. Check tyre pressure, tread and sidewalls
Low temperatures can cause tyre rubber to stiffen and become more brittle, increasing the likelihood of cracks developing in the sidewalls. While small defects may seem insignificant, they can weaken the tyre’s structure and raise the risk of a blowout at higher speeds.
Check pressures when the tyres are cold, using the figure in the vehicle handbook, fuel cap or driver’s door frame. Inspect the tread and sidewalls for cuts, bulges, cracking or exposed cord. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, but any visible damage should be checked before a long motorway trip.
4. Wash and inspect the underside of your car for salt-related corrosion
Road salt helps keep winter roads safer, but it can accelerate corrosion on exposed metal parts underneath the vehicle. Salt residue can remain around the chassis, wheel arches, brake lines and exhaust long after winter has ended.
Wash the underbody and wheel arches after winter where possible, especially if the car has been driven regularly on treated roads. If you notice rust, flaking metal, unusual exhaust noise or anything hanging loose underneath the vehicle, book an inspection rather than trying to assess safety-critical parts yourself.
