Car safety checklist

How are safety features improving cars?

Cars are safer than ever these days thanks to ever-improving gadgets and impressive on-board tech – everything from GPS tracking to autonomous emergency braking and advanced driver assistance.

According to recent data from UK Government, autonomous vehicles could prevent 60,000 serious accidents and save almost 4,000 lives between 2024 and 2040.

But we’re not in the fully automated age just yet. So, for some tried-and-tested ways of staying safe on the road right now, read our car safety checklist.

Can I check how safe my current car is?

To see how your car rates in terms of safety, take a look at NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme).

It’s an independent organisation that vets a car’s safety features, build quality, performance and, critically, crash test outcomes.

Each car is put through its paces, then given a car safety rating from one to five stars. It’s an easy-to-use website with a section purely for family cars.

Only the very safest vehicles are given five stars, which NCAP defines as having “overall excellent performance in crash protection and well equipped with comprehensive and robust crash-avoidance technology”.

How can I make my car and my journey safer?

Whether you’re heading on a family getaway or just popping out in the car for the day, it’s worth taking some safety precautions:

• Make sure your kids have the correct size car seat for their weight/height (not their age)

• Take off any bulky coats – they can reduce the effectiveness of the restraint in an accident

• Always seat kids in the back of the car – most accidents involve damage to the front of a car

• Keep little ones amused – the more occupied they are, the less likely they are to seek attention

• Always be prepared for a breakdown, and make sure everyone has the right clothing for standing around outside if something goes wrong

• Be prepared for all weathers – snow, ice, rain or mud; winter can cause havoc on the roads

• Have plenty of water and snacks on board, though best to pull over to eat or drink – this will avoid driver distraction and the break will do everyone good

• Take regular breaks on long journeys – a minimum break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is recommended.

What kit, tools and equipment should I keep in my car?

It’s always a good idea to carry some essential kit in your car, just in case. We’d recommend carrying:

• A shovel, de-icer and screen wash in the boot

• A blanket and perhaps a full flask if you need to go out in extreme weather

• Sunglasses are recommended all year round, not just during summer

• A phone charger – a ‘dead’ phone could let you down when you need it most

• A paper map – just in case your sat nav or phone fails

• An emergency car kit – including a first aid box, torch, hazard warning triangle, reflective vest and waterproof jacket

• Sturdy footwear in case you have to do some serious walking

• A puncture repair kit in case you have to re-inflate a tyre until you can get to a garage.

Discover what else you might need with our breakdown checklist.

What essential checks should I carry out before a long journey?

As well as making sure you’ve got the essential kit, it could be a good idea to do a few quick safety checks before a drive.

• Check your oil. Take out the dipstick, clean it and check again. The oil should be a clear golden brown and between the two markers on the stick. If it’s low, top it up, or if it’s thick and sticky, get it changed.

• Check your coolant levels. Locate the expansion tank and make sure the coolant level is between the minimum and maximum markers to prevent your car from overheating.

• Check your brake fluid. The reservoir for this is always on the driver’s side. You can check the level by looking down the side, where you’ll see a marker. The colour should be golden. If it’s brown, get it changed.

• Check your screen wash. Water alone won’t clean the grime off your windscreen, so keep this topped up.

• Check your lights. In the winter when the roads are really dirty, you may need to give them a clean. And while you’re at it give your number plates a wipe too – as they need to be visible. Remember to check all your lights and indicators are working, including fog lights.

• Check your battery. If you don't have a voltage meter at home, you can ask a garage to check this for you.

• Check your windscreen wipers. These can wear out quickly, so keep an eye on them. Watch out for streaks and gaps on the screen when you’re using them.

• Check your tyres. Look for cuts, scratches and bulges. If you have a pressure pump, you can check your tyre pressure at home. You’ll find the correct figures in your handbook, inside the fuel cap cover or inside the driver’s door. Otherwise visit a petrol station. Remember: if your car’s heavily laden, you may have to alter the tyre pressure.

How to maintain car safety

Along with these simple checks, the best way to make sure your car keeps running smoothly is by having it regularly serviced.

You should aim to do this either once a year or every 12,000 miles – whichever comes first. The cost of a full car service in the UK averages between £170 for a small car and £395 for a larger model.

During the service, your mechanic will inspect your car’s mechanical and electrical parts, including the tyres, brakes and other essential components. A newer car might only need an oil and filter change. An older vehicle might need new brake pads and other parts replacing.

If you drive a newer diesel car with an AdBlue tank, your mechanic will usually top it up during the service. This is a fluid that helps to reduce harmful emissions. It lasts for between 6,000 and 12,000 miles or maybe longer, depending on your make and model. So, if you do heavy mileage you might need to check this regularly too. You should get a warning light when you’ve got about 1,500 miles left in the AdBlue tank.

In modern cars, you’ll often get a message on your dashboard to remind you when your next service is due. Alternatively, you can check your car’s handbook or service record if you’re not sure when your car was last checked over.

What’s wrong with my car?

Here are some of the most common faults that could affect your car’s safety:

The engine won’t start

When you turn the key, can you hear a strange clicking sound, is the engine turning over more slowly than usual or is there no sound at all? The most likely cause is a flat battery.You’ll need to jump-start your car or call out your breakdown service to get it going again.

A warning light appears

Dashboard warning lights flash up when one of the sensors detects a fault. It will give you some indication of the source of the problem and how serious it is by the colour.

A red light needs urgent attention. So, you should get it checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible.

There’s a strange squeaking noise

If your car squeaks while driving, listen closely to where the sound is coming from. If it happens when you press the accelerator for example, it could be a worn-out cambelt.

Squeaky brakes usually mean a worn-out brake pad, while car screeching could be a symptom of under-inflated tyres. It’s always best to get a mechanic to check out any such noises.

My car won’t move when in gear

If you drive a car with a manual transmission, it should move when you release the clutch. If the engine races but the car moves really slowly or not at all when you put it in gear, it could be a sign that the clutch needs replacing.

There’s a leak coming from under my car

If you spot a wet patch underneath your car but you’re not sure where it’s coming from, take a piece of white card and place it under your car. After a while, you should be able to tell what’s leaking by the colour of it.

• Clear – condensation from the air conditioning; nothing to worry about

• Light or dark brown – oil

• Amber or light yellow – brake fluid

• Bright green, pink or blue – coolant; this can come in other colours too, but if it has a sweet smell, you’ll know it’s coolant.

If it’s oil, brake fluid or coolant that’s leaking, it’s a good idea to get an expert to check it out.

Should I think about breakdown cover as part of my car insurance?

It’s not obligatory, but breakdown cover means you don't have to worry if something goes wrong with your car. One phone call and you’ll have an expert mechanic on hand to help.

If the fault can't be fixed on the spot, they’ll tow your car to a garage and, depending on your level of cover, could also get you and your passengers home safely.

You can buy breakdown cover on its own or add it to your car insurance policy. But double-check you don’t already have cover as part of a packaged bank account or credit card.