Winter puts more strain on UK cars than any other season. Cold starts, icy roads, weak batteries, and hidden faults all become bigger risks — and most breakdowns between November and February happen because drivers simply weren’t prepared.

As a certified MOT tester with nearly 30 years in the trade, here are the exact checks I recommend every driver completes before winter hits. Do these now, and you’ll avoid 90% of the headaches that catch drivers out every year.

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1. Check Your Battery Health (Most Common Winter Breakdown)

Cold weather massively reduces battery performance — and older batteries often fail overnight.

Signs your battery is struggling:

• Slow to start in the morning

• Dim headlights

• Clicking when turning the key

• Electrical resets (radio presets, clock, etc.)

What to do:

• If your battery is 4+ years old, consider replacing it before winter.

• Get a quick drop test done at a garage (or ask me — send a photo of your battery label).

• Make sure terminals are tight and clean.

👉 A weak battery is the No.1 cause of winter breakdowns. Don’t leave it.

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2. Top Up Anti-Freeze / Coolant (Stops Your Engine Freezing)

Coolant doesn't just stop overheating — it prevents your engine from freezing solid in winter.

Check your coolant if:

• You haven’t topped it up in months

• You’ve recently added plain water

• Your MOT advisory mentioned coolant leaks

What you need:

Use a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water.
Avoid mixing colours — pink, red, blue, or green must match what’s already in your system.

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3. Inspect Your Tyres (Grip Saves Lives on Ice)

Your tyres are the only thing keeping you on the road — especially on cold, wet, or icy mornings.

Minimum winter recommendations:

• 3mm tread (legal minimum is 1.6mm, but winter grip drops sharply below 3mm)

• Proper inflation (check your handbook or door sticker)

• No cracks or bulges on the sidewalls

Should you get winter tyres?

Not essential for most UK drivers, but if you live in rural or hilly areas, they make a huge difference.

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4. Check All Lights (Dark Nights Expose Faults)

Winter means:

• More night driving

• Longer commutes in the dark

• More fog, rain, and reduced visibility

Make sure these are working:

• Headlights

• Brake lights

• Fog lights

• Number plate lights

• Indicators

If a bulb keeps blowing, you may have a wiring or earth issue — send me a photo and I can diagnose it remotely.

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5. Test Your Heater & Demisters (Essential for Clear Screens)

Steamed-up windows are not just annoying — they’re illegal if they block your view.

Check:

• Front blowers

• Rear window heater

• Air-con (yes, it helps remove moisture even in winter)

If your screen takes ages to clear, you might have:

• A blocked cabin filter

• Low refrigerant in the AC

• Moisture leaking into the cabin

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6. Top Up Washer Fluid (Don’t Use Water Alone)

Water freezes at 0°C.
Washer fluid doesn’t.

Winter screenwash prevents:

• Freezing in the reservoir

• Frozen jets

• Icy smears on the windscreen

Always use concentrated winter washer fluid and keep a spare bottle in the boot.

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7. Check Your Brakes (Cold Weather Shows Weak Brakes Fast)

Signs your brakes need attention:

• Squeaking or grinding

• Steering wheel wobble when braking

• Soft brake pedal

• Handbrake pulling too high

Wet, icy roads mean you rely even more on strong braking — don’t leave it until your MOT.

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8. Carry a Winter Emergency Kit (Takes 2 Minutes)

Here’s what every driver should keep in the boot during winter:

• De-icer & scraper

• Torch

• Warm blanket

• Phone charger

• Jump leads

• Gloves

• Tyre pressure gauge

• Spare washer fluid

You’ll thank yourself if you break down in freezing weather.

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9. Read Your MOT Advisory (Most Drivers Ignore This!)

Winter magnifies small issues.
If your last MOT mentioned any advisories, fix them now — they’re warning signs.

Send me a photo of your advisory sheet and I’ll tell you:

• What’s urgent

• What can wait

• What garages typically overcharge for

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10. Get a Quick Pre-Winter Health Check

Before the temperature drops, it’s worth doing a simple quick health check.

I can help you with:

• Diagnosing strange noises

• Warning lights

• Battery checks

• MOT advisory reviews

• Brake assessments

• Coolant leaks

• Tyre condition advice

Just upload a photo or video and I’ll walk you through what’s actually going on.

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Final Thoughts: Stay Safe, Save Money This Winter

Preparing now avoids:

• Cold morning breakdowns

• Dangerous icy driving

• Last-minute expensive repairs

• Failed MOTs in January

A few simple checks make winter driving stress-free and safe.