Winter is tough on cars. Between the cold starts, road salt, potholes, and dark commutes, your vehicle has been through a lot over the past few months. Now that spring is on the way, it is the perfect time to give your car a once-over and catch any problems before they become expensive repairs.
Here at AVS Bransgore, we see a lot of vehicles come in after winter with issues that could have been caught early. Here is our honest checklist — most of these you can do yourself in your driveway on a dry afternoon.
1. Check Your Tyre Condition and Pressures
Cold weather causes tyre pressures to drop, and potholes can cause slow punctures or damage to sidewalls. Walk around the car and look for any bulges, cracks, or uneven wear. Check pressures against the sticker inside your driver's door frame — not the number on the tyre itself. Under-inflated tyres wear faster and increase your fuel consumption.
2. Top Up Your Screenwash
Sounds simple, but you would be surprised how many people run out of screenwash in spring. The roads are still dirty with salt and grime, and the low sun makes a filthy windscreen genuinely dangerous. Use a proper screenwash concentrate, not just water — it cleans better and will not freeze if we get a late cold snap.
3. Test Your Battery
Car batteries work hardest in winter. If your engine has been slow to crank on cold mornings, your battery is telling you something. Most batteries last 4 to 5 years. If yours is getting on, it is worth having it tested before it leaves you stranded on a warm day (yes, heat kills batteries too).
4. Inspect Your Wiper Blades
Winter wiper blades take a beating — ice, salt, and constant use. If they are smearing, streaking, or juddering across the screen, replace them. A new set of quality blades costs around fifteen to twenty pounds and takes two minutes to fit. It is one of the cheapest safety upgrades you can make.
5. Look Under the Bonnet
Pop the bonnet and have a look around. Check your oil level with the dipstick — if it is low or the oil looks very dark and gritty, it is time for a service. Also check your coolant level (only when the engine is cold) and look for any cracked or perished hoses.
6. Check All Your Lights
Get someone to walk around the car while you operate all the lights — headlights (dipped and main beam), indicators, brake lights, fog lights, and reversing lights. A blown bulb is an easy MOT fail and can land you a fixed penalty notice.
7. Listen for New Noises
Start the car and listen. Any new squealing, grinding, or knocking? Squealing on start-up often points to a worn auxiliary belt. Grinding when braking means your pads or discs need attention. Knocking over bumps could be worn suspension bushes or drop links. Do not ignore new noises — they rarely fix themselves.
8. Book a Service if You Are Due
If your last service was more than 12 months or 10,000 miles ago, spring is a great time to get it done. A basic oil and filter change starts from just 150 pounds here at AVS, and we will give the whole car a visual health check at the same time.
The Bottom Line
None of these checks take long, and catching a small issue now can save you hundreds later. If you spot anything you are not sure about, bring it in and we will take a look — no pressure, just honest advice. That is what we are here for.
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