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This winter, be breakdown prepared

Vehicle breakdowns are not as common as they used to be. This is partly due to the greater reliability of today’s vehicles and more frequent car servicing. The advancements in vehicle manufacturing, diagnostics and repairs have all contributed to a higher degree of reliability. Cars and commercial vehicles now have sensors and warning lights which let us know about impending difficulties. But a roadside breakdown can still occur and if it does, you will be grateful that you were prepared, especially if it should happen in the dark winter months.

Essentials

Think safety! in the event of a breakdown, your safety and that of your passengers has to be your main priority. Make sure you have two luminous Warning Triangles in your breakdown kit, so you can place them on the road to warn other traffic that you have been immobilised. Wear a high visibility vest to place these on the road  the vests are a also simple way of keeping yourself safe if you need to walk for assistance too. Add a torch and an empty fuel can and raingear to the car breakdown kit. In the winter, keep a good de-icing scraper and some spray in case you must clear the windscreens as you wait for assistance.

Useful tools for getting you back on the road

Jump leads or a battery booster pack. Roadside assist drivers list the two most common reasons for call outs as flat batteries and tyre or wheel issues. A dead battery can happen for many reasons. The battery can simply die of old age, or the leads become loose. For the combustion engines, a set of jump leads, and the assistance of a friendly motorist can have you back on the road to the nearest garage in no time. A battery booster pack can also be purchased in many motor retail stores and are priceless for a cold winter morning when the battery needs to be sparked into life. The increase in electrical vehicles on the road and the drain that winter driving puts on the battery can cause more EV cars, particularly older models, to suffer from a loss of battery power. Keep an eye on the battery levels and if you are driving an EV with failing battery, turn off the demister, heater, radio and keep the speed level steady to eke the last bit of power from the battery and you might just avoid that dreaded wait by the side of the road.

Tyre repair kit. A puncture can happen to anyone! Not all cars now have a spare tyre. Check whether you do or not. If you do, then you can replace a punctured tyre. You will need to access the specific nuts (usually in a box in the glove compartment) and the tyre jack (usually in the boot) etc. The high vis jacket and your warning triangles will be essential here. If you do not have a spare or the muscle power needed to loosen those nuts, there is a useful tyre repair kit available to get you to the garage. This is a can of post puncture sealant, a special solution that you add through the tyre valve, and it will inflate the tyre enough for you to get home or to the nearest garage. It is not intended for driving on continuously and is only designed for emergencies, and it is very effective for that.

Lost Keys

While not technically a breakdown, lost keys and keys locked in cars are a real problem for motorists. The vehicle key most likely includes a microchip, and this can make it harder to replace. Make sure the spares are somewhere obvious at home and that a spare house key can be accessed by a trusted friend or neighbour. If you lose a key and have no spare, you will need to visit an authorised dealer or to call a specialist (the AA or RAC) to your car to help you get a replacement key working again.

Breakdown assist.

Roadside assistance will take the headache out of that unexpected breakdown but do not presume that roadside assistance comes automatically with your insurance policy. All vehicles purchased at Western Motors come with roadside assistance for at least 12 months. It is worth noting that some insurance related breakdowns assist options become invalid if your NCT is not in date. Given that there is often a long backlog for NCT testing, this may leave some motorists without cover temporarily. Private breakdown companies and the rare breed of local mechanic with a tow truck may well come to your rescue, but naturally at a cost.

Comforts and extras

Blankets, snacks, and bottled water will be very welcome as you await rescue in the unlikely event of a breakdown.

Being prepared for a breakdown is not a hugely challenging task and putting that breakdown kit together may well be something you are grateful for in the coming winter months. Drive Safe.

Our contact numbers for breakdown assistance are:

  • VW Car Sales 086 835 5000
  • VW Van Sales 086 047 2111
  • Skoda Car Sales 083 778 7583
  • SEAT Car Sales 1800 732 822
  • CUPRA Car Sales 1800 812 283

 

Car Grades Explained
Grade
Description
Mileage
95% as new condition/100% as new to drive/ min two year warranty
Less than 50,000 km’s
Thoroughly prepared used car/ excellent mechanical condition/ a minimum of 1 year warranty
Less than 120,000 km’s
Reasonable mechanical and cosmetic condition/ a minimum of 6 months warranty
Less than 150,000 km’s
A Part Exchanged/Trade In – only sold on to Trade
N/A
Only applicable to Trade In Self Appraisals – scrapped or sold to Trade where possible
N/A

As our Digital Dealership grows we know that more buyer confidence is needed throughout the online buying process and to assist we have introduced the Western Motors Group Used Car Grading System. The system has been devised to offer more transparency to our customers and to provide an easy guide as to the quality of the used car being sold.