Avoid disruptions to your summer travel plans.
The sun is out, the radio's on, and you've hit the road for your summer trip. But what was that noise?
Summer may be the season of road trips, day trips, and long drives - but it also brings a rise in vehicle issues that can put the brakes on your holiday plans.
To better understand what drivers face when the temperatures rise, we surveyed 55 expert technicians, master technicians, and aftersales managers across the Vertu dealership network. The results are clear: summer car trouble is real, but it's often preventable.
Here are the most common car failures during the summer months, according to our 2026 survey, and why it's worth booking a Vertu Summer Check before you set off.
1. Tyre blowouts from heat and incorrect pressure
Hot roads, underinflated tyres, and longer drives are a genuinely dangerous combination. According to our 2026 survey, tyre blowouts caused by heat and incorrect pressure are the single most common preventable summer breakdown - flagged by 38% of our technicians as the top summer risk.
As temperatures rise, so does the pressure inside your tyres. If they're already underinflated or showing signs of wear from winter, the risk of a blowout (particularly at motorway speeds) increases significantly. Our spring checks also regularly uncover tyres that have perished or cracked over winter, and those same tyres are far more likely to fail under summer stress.
2. Engine overheating from a poorly maintained cooling system
High temperatures combined with long-distance driving put your coolant system to the test. Engine overheating was identified by 36% of our technicians as a top preventable summer breakdown - and it's one that rarely happens without warning signs first.
Low coolant levels, a small leak, or a struggling radiator can all escalate quickly when an engine is working hard on a hot motorway. Left unchecked, the consequences are costly.
3. Battery failure after a long, hot drive
Cold weather gets the blame for flat batteries - but summer is a bigger risk than many drivers realise. Nearly 1 in 4 of our technicians (24%) flagged battery failure as a recurring summer problem, typically after extended drives in the heat.
Excessive heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, damaging internal components and shortening lifespan. A battery that starts fine on a cool morning can still let you down after hours of powering air conditioning and electronics in high temperatures.
4. Suspension and alignment damage from winter potholes
Our technicians report that the most common early warning they catch during spring checks is pothole-related damage to suspension or wheel alignment - found in 44% of inspections. Left unaddressed, this damage worsens gradually; tyres wear unevenly, handling becomes less predictable at speed, and repair costs grow.
By the time summer adds heat, heavy loads, and long motorway miles into the mix, a pothole clipped months ago can turn into a significant bill.
If your car pulls to one side, feels unsettled at speed, or is chewing through tyres unevenly, get it checked before you head off.
5. Brakes under pressure
Summer driving puts brakes through their paces - whether that's heavy traffic on the way to the coast, repeated descents on holiday roads, or simply more miles than usual. Heat causes brake components to expand, and dust and debris accumulate faster in dry conditions. Early signs of wear that might be tolerable in quieter months can become a real concern under summer loads.
A Summer Check includes a brake inspection to spot wear before it becomes a safety issue, so you can drive confidently all season long.
Don't leave it to chance
Whether you're heading to the coast, the countryside, or just commuting in the heat, a Vertu Summer Check can give you peace of mind, and potentially save you from expensive repairs or an inconvenient roadside stop.
- News