Millions of Cars Lacking a Winter COAT, says Kwik-Fit

According to recent research by Kwik-Fit, millions of cars are heading out onto Britain’s winter roads without a “COAT.” This collection of letters stands for Check Oil and Tyres, and despite the onset of winter conditions, the fast-fit specialist reports that more than eight million motorists haven’t checked their vehicle’s oil and tyres in the last six months. Furthermore, some 13.6 million motorists haven’t checked their batteries, surprising really considering the high prevalence of battery failure in the colder months – Kwik-Fit predicts that as many as one in six drivers will break down this winter with a flat battery. A further 25 per cent of motorists, Kwik-Fit continues, have left their brakes unchecked.

Drivers under 24 are identified as the most casual with their winter preparations, being the least likely of all age groups to have checked their car’s tyres, screenwash, lights or wiper blades. By contrast, the Boy Scout motto “be prepared” is most often followed by drivers over 65.  The reason for their attention to detail has not been delved into – perhaps they simply have more time for such tasks than the rest of us – yet the fact remains that, of the eight checks Kwik-Fit researched, seven of them were most likely to have been made by this oldest age group. Scottish drivers, Kwik-Fit added, were less likely to have checked their tyres, lights, oil and wiper blades than drivers in other parts of the UK. 

In an attempt to keep Britain’s motorists off the hard shoulder this winter, Kwik-Fit is offering a nationwide free winter check-up programme to help educate drivers that the best defence against a breakdown is preparation. Motorists can visit the company’s centres without an appointment for a free check on the condition of their car’s battery, tyres, lights and windscreen washers.  “No one wants to break down at any time of year, but being stranded on a cold, dark, winter’s day can be particularly unpleasant,” said David White, customer services director at Kwik-Fit. “Yet according to experts, well over half of all roadside recoveries could be avoided through basic car maintenance.

“There’s a big safety risk too as an empty screenwash, worn out tyres or wiper blades can easily lead to an accident,” White continued. “Regular checks are easy to make and will help keep motorists safe and on the road.  We urge younger drivers to follow the lead of the older, more experienced motorists and get into the habit of making those regular checks and remember that car COATs are a must-have item this winter.”