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Is your car staycation ready?

June 4, 2021

Is your car staycation ready?

Is your car ready for staycation holiday - holidaying in the uk with M&BM Motor

Staycations have always been popular but this year, the majority of us are planning on holidaying in the UK. But ask yourself – is your car staycation ready?

The holiday trend for 2021 is to enjoy what the UK has to offer but it’s important to ask this question: is your car staycation ready?

Are you planning a holiday close to home? You’re not the only one! With Covid-19 changing the way we’ve had to work, live and travel for well over a year, travel overseas is still up in the air. With the uncertainty of when, where and how, it’s hardly surprising that many of us are choosing to enjoy the many stunning sights of the UK this summer.

88% of people had to cancel or postpone their summer 2020 holiday as a result of coronavirus and the restrictions we’ve had to face. Instead, we headed to UK destinations, with 20% of us actually opting for a staycation for the very first time last year.

We still don’t know what to expect from summer 2021 so people are playing it safe. And although the weather can be a little dodgy at times, the UK countryside and coast has a huge amount to offer!

Within just a few hours, we can be at the seaside, in the valleys, enjoying the seas, lakes, rivers and canals, quaint villages, historic city centres… and it requires no passports, no airport transfers, no border controls.

But what it does usually require is a car. Therefore it is very important that you ask yourself – is your car staycation ready? Are you confident that it can handle a long car journey?

Because let’s face it, whilst we’ve been stuck in lockdown, so has your vehicle. The majority of us won’t have used our cars nearly as much as usual in the past year, leaving them prone to breaking down – or not even starting at all if the battery is low. So is your car staycation ready? Whether you do it yourself, or get a professional to take a look, it is important to ensure that your car is roadworthy before you set off on your staycation. Plus we advise that you take it on a few shorter trips, just to make sure that you are comfortable and confident on the road before attempting a long journey.

Is your car staycation ready? Important checks

1. Car battery: If you haven’t driven your car for quite a while, you need to check the battery. We recommend doing this at least a week before your holiday so that you have time to get it replaced if needs be.

2. Tyres: Make sure you check your tyre pressures and their general condition, and don’t forget about your spare tyre if you have one. If you’re planning a long journey, the correct amount of air in your tyres means you’re not only safer, but will also get better miles per gallon when it comes to petrol or diesel. (Tips on getting more money out of your tyres.)

3. Oil: Check your oil level and top up if necessary. Your engine needs oil so by checking levels on a regular basis, you will be able to monitor whether you are having to top the oil up more than you should. If so, we’d advise having it checked at your local garage.

4. Lights: It is important to make sure that all your lights are working or you could get pulled over by the police. Check the bulbs, keep a spare in the car and clean your lights regularly so they’re in optimum condition.

5. Screenwash: The last thing you want is to be in the middle of a long car journey only to find you’ve run out of screenwash. And by law, your screenwash must work at all times. Top it up before you head off on your staycation so you can keep your windscreen nice and clean.

Is your car staycation ready? M&BM Motors can help!

If the above sounds like an alien language, don’t worry! Plenty of people are very confident drivers yet have very little knowledge of the inner workings of a car. And this is where we can help.

Based in Grays, Essex, M&BM Motors has been your local, family-run garage for more than 30 years. We offer a wide range of services, including:

Class 4, 5 & 7 MOTs
All levels of servicing
Vehicle repairs
Engine diagnostics

If you are unsure as to whether your vehicle is ready for your summer jaunt, simply call M&BM Motors on 01375 379401. We will be happy to give it a quick once over to ensure it’s safe to drive and won’t let you down halfway up the motorway!

We hope you found our article, ‘Is your car staycation ready?’ of interest.

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