Make your essential journeys SAFE

Most UK drivers in the UK have been driving infrequently since December 2020. With the government’s proposed roadmap for restrictions to ease at the end of the month, it is crucial to ensure your vehicle is SAFE before you get on the road.

• For almost a year now, most drivers in the UK haven’t been driving as often as usual. Especially since December 2020, when we entered another full lockdown with advice to travel only if necessary.

  One benefit of not driving as much is saving on fuel! But you need to be careful when driving your a vehicle which hasn't been on the road for a while. Not using your vehicle regularly can actually cause problems with your tyres and lights.

  With the government’s proposed roadmap suggesting restrictions will ease at the end of the month, there are some really simple checks to make sure your vehicle is SAFE before you get on the road.

• Do these four basic checks before heading out on any journey:

   

  Service or health check

  Air in tyre

  Fill up screenwash

  Examine light and tyre treads

• Service or health check

  It is important to ensure that your commercial vehicle is safe and working properly with a professional service or health check at Motus Commercials. This is the ultimate way to guarantee that your van is in full working order. Our specialist technicians check over every inch of your vehicle so you can enjoy worry-free driving.

  If you wish to get your original pre-exemption MOT date back, you can book in for an early MOT. You don’t have to wait until your current certificate runs out to get a new one.

  It is advised that you carry out your own checks on the vehicle before heading out, too.

  For example, when testing your brakes, make sure that nothing feels off before you get on the road. 

   If your brakes feel different, make a continuous noise or pull your van to one side when in use, you should take it in for a professional check ASAP.

  If any dash warning lights are on, it is also essential to bring your vehicle in.

• Air in tyres

  If your vehicle has been parked in on spot for a long period of time, the tyres tend to lose air and become damaged. Prior to heading out on any journey, make sure to check that your tyres are properly inflated and are free of any cuts, bulges or other types of damage.

  Check the vehicle’s manual to find out the correct tyre pressure for your tyres. Most petrol stations no have a pressure gauge and air pump where you can check your tyre pressure and fill as needed.

• Fill up screenwash

  Ensure that your windscreen wipers are working and that your washer fluid is topped up before you being your journey. If the liquid is coming out and your wipers aren’t streaking water across the windscreen, you’re all set.

  Make sure that your engine is cold before lifting up the bonnet, incase you need to check your washer fluid.

  Once you locate your washer fluid bottle, fill it with washer fluid as needed. This is an often forgotten but very necessary check. It’s important to use washer fluid rather than just water, as washer fluid prevents freezing.

• Examining lights & tyre tread

  Check your lights

  Check over every light on your vehicle to make sure that no bulbs have blown. Start your van and turn on all the lights then get out and walk around to check everything’s in working order. Put your hazards on to check both front and rear indicators, and don’t forget to check your brake lights in a reflection.

  Check your tyre tread

  The legal limit for a vehicle's tyre tread depth is 1.6mm. Especially when the roads are wet or icy, anything below this number is a risk to yourself and everyone on the road.
  To check tyre tread turn your steering wheel fully left or right then look for the tread wear indicators on each of your tyres.
  If any of your tyres are level with this marker, they need to be replaced. You can also check this by inserting a 20p coin into the tread and if the outer band is covered, the tread level is okay. Don’t forget to check the level is even across the tyre too.

• Get ahead and book your service now
  Due to the MOT extension last year, our service centres will be quieter in April and May. This means you’re more likely to get an appointment of your choosing, beating the rush.

  Book your service, health check or MOT today, or get in touch with your local Motus Commercials service centre to learn more.