Breakdown numbers soar during UK’s hottest summer
With summer 2025 officially recognised as the hottest on record in the UK, motorists have been warned of rising breakdown numbers during warm weather.
Data from National Highways revealed that there were more breakdowns in August and July last year than any other month.
It found that there were 23,299 breakdowns last August, which was 9.3% of the annual total of 251,448, with a further 22,629 breakdowns in July. By contrast, the lowest number of breakdowns were recorded in January (19,625) and February (19,560).
Experts at insurance comparison website Go.Compare car insurance said the main reasons there are more breakdowns in hotter weather is because cars are more vulnerable to overheating and battery problems, while the hot road surfaces also create more wear and tear on tyres.
Heat stress
Tom Banks, motoring expert at Go.Compare, said: “Increased temperatures can put extra strain on your car, so it’s a good idea to carry out routine checks more frequently than you might do in cooler conditions.
“That means keeping a close eye on tyre pressure and tread depth, topping up your coolant to the correct level to prevent overheating, and regularly checking your oil. Investing in a car battery charger can also be a smart move to avoid unexpected power issues.”
