Drivers risk £2,500 fine for forgetting to do one thing before cold snap

Drivers are being warned they must do one thing every year to avoid a huge fine. Wintry weather is on its way to the UK, with plunging temperatures and widespread snow predicted.

In a bid to avoid breaking the law, motorists should make sure their vehicle is free of any issues. Daniel Briggs, CEO at the specialist discount provider Motorfinity, said everyone should get their car serviced to ensure there is nothing that will put them at risk on winter journeys.

He advised: "You should be getting your car serviced every year, and there’s no better time to do this than around the winter period. This is something we often help our customers with, by setting them up with a discounted annual service plan as soon as they buy their new car.

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"Conditions such as icy roads, snow, and freezing temperatures put extra strain on essential car components like brakes, tyres, and batteries. A service ensures these parts are in good condition, reducing the risk of accidents and improving your vehicle's overall safety."

Cars usually need to be serviced every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. An interim service should be carried out every six months or 6,000 miles, Express reports.

Most modern vehicles will have a warning light which will show when a service is due. By taking action as soon as this sign appears, drivers should be able to spot and correct small issues before they turn into expensive problems.

A full vehicle service typically takes about three hours and costs between £170 and £400, depending on the type of car. Mr Briggs said sorting out faults during the service can help drivers avoid fines of up to £2,500 for using a potentially dangerous vehicle.

He added: "If you're not getting a regular service, your car may have faults that you’re unaware of. As well as being unsafe, this could be a costly mistake, as driving with a vehicle that doesn’t comply with the Highway Code’s full requirements of the Road Vehicle Regulations (1986) is breaking the law.

"You might find yourself fined, – the Highway Code states fines of up to £2,500 are given to anyone driving with a vehicle in a dangerous condition – given penalty points on your licence, or even disqualified from driving."