British holidaymakers are advised to prioritise vehicle preparation before embarking on their summer car journeys.
Research by Kwik Fit, the UK’s leading automotive servicing company, shows that holidaymakers travelling within the UK will cover an average of 563 miles, while those going abroad typically travel 815 miles. Alarmingly, many drivers spend more time curating playlists than checking their cars.
One in six (16%) holidaymakers will not check their tyre pressures, opting instead to focus on music or snacks. Nearly 30% of the 4.9 million drivers who skip tyre checks will spend around 36 minutes on their playlists and 22 minutes on snacks.
Critical checks are often missed. Over 28% of travellers fail to check coolant levels, 22% skip checking oil, and 19% don’t verify screen wash. For trips abroad, 25% won’t check local driving rules, and 23% won’t confirm their insurance covers the journey.
On average, holidaymakers spend 22 minutes listening to their music, the same amount of time on snacks, and about 25 minutes preparing lunches. Dan Joyce, Operations Director at Kwik Fit, warns that while good music enhances travel, it cannot replace essential vehicle checks.
Drivers are advised to check their tyres and fluids—especially in hot weather—and to schedule a vehicle inspection well ahead of departure. For more information on pre-travel car checks, visit kwik-fit.com, where drivers can book a free vehicle health check and find tips for creating the perfect playlist.
