While cars are prone to unexpected breakdowns on occasion, it is possible to prepare for these events and to take steps which will assist your car to keep running without letting you down when you need it most.

Reduce the risks of having your car breakdown by taking some time to provide you car with some regular maintenance and checkups, just as you would take care of a family member or beloved pet. The best ways to prevent breakdowns is to have your car serviced regularly, or as often as the manufacturer recommends.

Otherwise, keep an eye on the petrol. A major reason for breakdown callouts is simply that the driver has not noticed the petrol gauge is hovering on empty, and the petrol has simply run out midway on the journey. Keeping the car’s tyres in good condition, and at the right pressure, will help prevent a blowout, which can be very dangerous when travelling at high speeds on the motorway.

If your car starts to make a strange noise or emit smoke or sparks or anything untoward happens, the best thing to do would be to pull over and have a look. Being knowledgeable about your car specifications is therefore a good idea, because the fault may be something simple that you could fix if you knew where and what the problem was.

Keep your fluids topped up. Running out of oil or water is often more harmful to the engine than running out of fuel. Carry a spare tyre, some vital tools, a bottle of water and some extra oil in your car. Speak to your mechanic about what else you can carry in your car which may help you to get of a breakdown situation, such as spare fuses or a set of jumper leads.

Breakdown cover is also a good idea, in case you find yourself with a breakdown which you cannot fix yourself. Most car insurance providers offer this at a small extra cost, while other companies specialise in breakdown cover.