Monday Car Safety Check: Tyres, Glass and Lights

A five-minute car check on Monday morning can catch simple problems before they become stressful on the first journey of the week. Do it while the car is parked, the tyres are cold and there is enough light to see clearly. The purpose is not to carry out mechanical work; it is to confirm that the vehicle looks roadworthy, the driver’s view is clear and essential equipment is stored safely.

1. Walk around the car before opening the door

Start with a slow circuit of the vehicle. Look for a visibly soft tyre, fresh damage, a fluid patch underneath, a cracked lamp or anything hanging loose. Check that number plates, lights and reflectors are clean. If something looks unsafe or a warning needs professional diagnosis, do not assume the journey will “probably be fine”.

The official GOV.UK guide on checking a vehicle is safe to drive recommends checking tyres, lights, brakes, steering, oil, water, screenwash, windscreen, windows and mirrors. The vehicle handbook remains the correct source for model-specific pressures, fluids and warning displays.

2. Check tyres when they are cold

Use the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressures, normally shown in the handbook, inside a door frame or behind the fuel flap. Inspect each tyre for cuts, bulges, embedded objects and uneven wear. For cars and light vans, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre and around its entire circumference, but any doubt about condition deserves a professional check.

Do not forget the spare wheel if the car has one. If the vehicle uses a repair kit instead, confirm that it is present, complete and within its stated expiry date. Replace valve caps after checking pressures.

3. Make the driver’s view completely clear

Clean the windscreen, front side windows, mirrors and camera lenses. Top up screenwash with the correct product and test the washers and wipers. A blade that smears, judders or leaves an uncleared band can make early-morning glare and spray much harder to manage.

The Highway Code’s vehicle-maintenance guidance says windscreens and windows must be clean and free from obstructions, while lights, indicators, reflectors and number plates must be kept clean and clear. Remove suction-mounted items or clutter that blocks the driver’s view.

4. Test the lights and read the dashboard

Switch on dipped headlights, indicators, hazard lights and brake lights. Ask another person to confirm the rear lights, or use a safe reflection against a wall without moving the vehicle. When the engine starts, the normal warning lamps should extinguish as described in the handbook. Do not ignore a warning that remains on or appears during the journey; stop safely and investigate it.

5. Secure the boot and roadside essentials

Loose bottles, shopping, charging cables and tools can move under braking. Keep the boot organised and secure heavier items low down. Store roadside equipment in one known place where it will not roll around or become buried beneath luggage. Regular drivers should know where it is, but it should only be used when the location and traffic conditions make that safe.

A repeatable Monday checklist

• Tyres look correctly inflated and free from damage.
• Windscreen, windows, mirrors and lights are clean.
• Washers, wipers, indicators and brake lights work.
• Fluid levels follow the vehicle handbook.
• No dashboard warning is being ignored.
• Loads, cables and roadside equipment are secured.
• Fuel or charge is sufficient for the planned journey.

Five calm minutes before departure are more useful than rushing once a problem appears. Repeat the check before a long trip, after another person has used the car, or whenever the vehicle has been parked for several days.

This article provides general safety guidance. Follow the Highway Code, your vehicle handbook and instructions from breakdown or emergency services.