Whether you're heading to Cornwall for a week by the sea, taking the family camping in the Cotswolds or driving all the way to France, a little preparation before you set off can save a lot of stress later.

Every summer we see the same thing. Families loading up the car, excited about their holiday, only to find themselves dealing with a breakdown that could have been avoided with a few simple checks.

The good news? Most of them take just a few minutes.

Here's our practical summer road trip checklist to help you travel with confidence.

Check your tyres

Your tyres are doing a lot more work on holiday than they do on the school run.

Think about it. The boot is packed to the roof, the kids are in the back, you've got bikes on the rack and enough luggage for a six-month expedition. Suddenly your car is carrying far more weight than normal.

Before you travel, check:

• Tyre tread depth
• Tyre pressures
• Any signs of damage, cuts or bulges

The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm, but we recommend replacing tyres at 3mm to ensure your tryres are safe.

It's also worth checking your tyre pressures against the manufacturer's recommendation. These can usually be found in your handbook or on a sticker inside the driver's door.

Underinflated tyres can affect fuel economy, handling and braking distances, particularly on long motorway journeys.

Check your oil level

Your engine oil helps keep everything running smoothly and prevents excessive wear.

Long motorway journeys put sustained demand on your engine, so it's worth checking the oil level before you leave rather than having the light come on halfway down the M5.

If you're unsure how to check it:

• Park on level ground.
• Allow the engine to cool.
• Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
• Reinsert it fully.
• Remove it again and check the level.

If the oil is low, top it up using the correct grade recommended by the manufacturer.

We've written a step-by-step guide on how to check your oil levels. Click here to read it and watch the accompanying video.

Not sure what oil your car needs? Give us a call and we'll happily point you in the right direction.

Top up your washer fluid

This one sounds obvious until you're driving on the motorway and realise you can't actually see out of the windscreen.

Summer brings dust, pollen, insects and plenty of road grime.

A quick top-up before you leave can make a huge difference to visibility and safety.

We'd recommend using proper screenwash rather than just water, particularly if you're travelling abroad where temperatures can fluctuate more dramatically.

Check your coolant

Your cooling system works hard all year round, but particularly during long journeys and hot weather.

Low coolant levels can increase the risk of your engine overheating, which can quickly turn into a very expensive problem.

Check the coolant reservoir when the engine is cold. This is REALLY IMPORTANT. Opening the coolant reservoir when the engine is hot or warm can release hot steam that can burn. 

When the engine is cold, check the level sits between the minimum and maximum markers.

If you're regularly topping it up, there may be an underlying leak that needs investigating before you travel.

If you're not sure how to check your coolant levels, click here to read our step-by-step guide and video.

Trust us - it's far better to discover that in your driveway than on the side of a motorway somewhere in rural France.

Make sure your battery is healthy

Car batteries have an unfortunate habit of failing at the worst possible moment.

If you've noticed any of the following recently, it may be worth getting your battery checked:

• Slow engine cranking
• Dashboard warning lights
• Electrical glitches
• Or if your battery is more than four or five years old

Most garages can carry out a quick battery health check in a matter of minutes.

Check all your lights

Good visibility is essential, especially if you're travelling early in the morning, late at night or through unfamiliar areas.

Before you leave, check:

• Headlights
• Brake lights
• Indicators
• Rear lights
• Number plate lights

A useful trick for checking lights is to park facing a wall or garage door. You'll be able to see reflections from many of the lights without needing a second person to help. Then turn the car around to check the rear lights.

It's a quick check that could save you from an unwanted conversation with the police or an MOT failure later down the line.

Driving abroad? Don't forget the essentials

If you're taking your own car to mainland Europe this summer, there are a few extra things you'll need.

Requirements vary slightly between countries, but generally you'll need:

• High-visibility vest
• Warning triangle
• UK sticker or badge (some cars have them on the reg plate)
• Headlight beam deflectors
• First aid kit
• Spare bulbs
• Driving licence
• Passport
• Vehicle insurance documents

It's worth checking the latest requirements for the countries you'll be visiting before you travel.

Don't forget your air conditioning

This wasn't on our original checklist, but it's worth mentioning.

If your air conditioning isn't blowing particularly cold air, don't assume it'll magically improve once summer arrives.

A properly functioning air conditioning system makes long journeys far more comfortable and can help reduce driver fatigue.

If it's struggling, a simple air conditioning service may be all that's needed.

A quick check could save your holiday

The vast majority of summer motoring problems we see are preventable.

A few minutes spent checking tyres, fluids, lights and battery condition before you travel can help you avoid breakdowns, unexpected costs and unnecessary stress.

And if you're not sure about any of it, don't worry.

That's exactly what we're here for.

Whether you're based in Thame, Haddenham, Chinnor, Princes Risborough, Long Crendon, Wheatley, Aylesbury, Bicester or anywhere nearby, our team is always happy to offer advice or carry out a quick pre-holiday vehicle check.

Because the only holiday stories worth bringing home should involve beaches, barbecues and questionable campsite entertainment. Not the recovery truck.

Any questions give us a call on 01844 215566 or visit www.thamecars.co.uk