Keep your car cool, safe, and road-trip ready this summer.
Who doesn't love a summer road trip? But whether you're planning a UK summer road trip or a quiet day trip adventure, it's essential to make sure your vehicle can handle the heat.
High temperatures, long motorway runs, and heavy use can take their toll on a car—and many of the most common summer car problems are entirely preventable.
We surveyed 55 technicians and aftersales managers across the Vertu dealership network to find out what they're seeing on the ramps this season. Their verdict? A handful of simple checks now could save you hundreds (or a ruined holiday) later.
Here are their top summer car maintenance tips for 2026:
1. Check your tyres - before the heat does it for you!
Tyre blowouts caused by heat and incorrect pressure are the number one preventable summer breakdown our technicians see - flagged by 38% of respondents in our 2026 survey. Hot tarmac puts tyres under stress, and an under-inflated tyre on a motorway in July could deteriorate much quicker than the same tyre on a cold January morning.
Tip: Check tyre pressure when the tyres are cold, before a long trip. Verify your tread depth is legal (minimum 1.6mm, though 3mm is recommended). And don't forget the spare.
2. Top up and test your coolant
Engine overheating was identified by 36% of our technicians as a top preventable summer breakdown, and it's one of the most avoidable. A poorly maintained cooling system simply can't cope when temperatures climb.
Tip: Check your coolant level and look for any signs of leaks. Never remove the radiator cap on a hot engine. If your car is running warmer than usual, get it inspected before a long journey - not after.
3. Don't ignore the battery
1 in 4 technicians (25%) in our survey pointed to weak batteries failing after a long, hot drive as a significant summer breakdown risk. Summer heat accelerates battery fluid evaporation and can shorten battery life - it's not just a winter problem.
Tip: If your battery is more than three years old, or you've noticed sluggish starts, it's a good job to have it tested before summer. Our Summer Check includes a battery assessment as standard.
4. Spring checks that prevent summer bills
Our technicians aren't just thinking about summer, they're already seeing the after-effects of winter. In our 2026 survey, 44% of technicians said the most common early warning they catch during spring checks is pothole-related damage to suspension or wheel alignment, followed by perished or cracked tyres (29%) that didn't survive winter intact.
Tip: If you haven't had a post-winter yet, now’s the time. Catching alignment issues or cracked tyres before a summer motorway run could prevent a blowout or a much bigger repair bill.
5. Look after your car's appearance, it protects its value too
Summer brings its own threats to paintwork and resale value. Our technicians rated scuffs and scrapes from tight public car parks as the biggest environmental threat to cosmetic condition (36%), ahead of tree sap and bird droppings (33%) and winter road salt residue still lingering on wheels and bodywork (27%).
The good news? The most cost-effective thing you can do (according to 78% of our technicians) is a regular, high-quality hand wash and wax. It protects the lacquer, removes contaminants, and keeps your car looking newer for longer.
Tip: Wash off bird droppings and tree sap as soon as possible in summer, left in the heat they etch into the clear coat quickly. A good wax before summer adds a protective layer that makes cleaning easier all season.
6. The test drive check most buyers miss
Whether you're shopping for a used car this summer or just want to know your own car better, our technicians have strong views on what matters most. An overwhelming 73% said the single most important check on a test drive is to turn the radio off completely and drive across different road surfaces to listen for unusual noises - rattles, knocks, or grinding that would otherwise be masked by music.
Tip: If you're buying a used car this summer, silence is your best diagnostic tool. A quiet cabin can tell you a lot!
Summer is about sunshine, not stress. A professional Summer Check with Vertu covers the essentials so you can travel with confidence, whether you're heading to the coast or just the supermarket.
- News