Summer on the Road: What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down

Are you planning a trip this season and haven't yet checked whether your car is road-ready? If you live in Marbella or on the Costa del Sol and you're heading off on a summer getaway, this is worth reading.

Summer is the time of year when the most cars break down on the road. 45% of all vehicle recoveries due to breakdown or accident occur between June and September, with August being the peak month. More journeys, longer distances, and heat that puts any engine to the test.

And bear in mind: the average distance between the incident and the nearest garage is 360 kilometres. That's no minor inconvenience.

Before You Set Off: The Basic Checks Many People Skip

A good journey starts before you turn the key. A few minutes of checking can save you hours waiting on the hard shoulder.

• Oil and coolant levels: heat depletes them faster than normal. Check both when the engine is cold.
• Tyres: check the pressure (including the spare) and tread depth. On hot tarmac, a worn tyre is a genuine hazard.
• Lights and brakes: basic, yes — but easily overlooked. Make sure everything is working properly.
• Brake fluid and power steering fluid: if it's been a while since you last checked them, now is the time.
• Battery: extreme heat affects batteries too. If yours is more than 3–4 years old, it's worth having it tested.
• Air conditioning: in summer, air con isn't a luxury — it's a safety matter. Heat exhaustion at the wheel can be extremely dangerous.

If You Break Down Anyway, Do This

Whatever happens, your first priority is to make yourself visible and get out of danger. Follow these steps and don't improvise:

• Switch on your hazard lights and pull onto the hard shoulder if you can do so safely.
• Put on your high-visibility vest before getting out of the car, on the side away from traffic.
• Deploy your V-16 beacon — it's compulsory and can be activated without leaving your vehicle. If you're unsure how to use it and what to do about recovery trucks, we cover everything in this article: V-16 beacons and rogue recovery trucks: how to avoid problems when you break down.
• Move away from the vehicle, behind the safety barrier. Never remain next to your car or walk along the hard shoulder.
• Call your roadside assistance and, if anyone is at risk, call 112.

Does Your Car Insurance Really Cover Roadside Assistance?

Here's the uncomfortable question: do you actually know what your policy includes?

Many drivers only discover that their breakdown cover is limited once they're already waiting on the hard shoulder — that it only applies within a certain distance, that recovery doesn't extend to the garage of your choice, or that you have to pay upfront and claim the money back afterwards.

If you want to be sure you have a car insurance policy that genuinely protects you in summer — not just on paper — it's well worth reviewing it before you travel. In our article on car insurance in Marbella: how to choose the best policy without overpaying, we explain exactly what to look for and what questions to ask.

One Final Piece of Advice Before You Hit the Road

Don't wait for something to go wrong before reviewing your policy. Five minutes speaking with us can give you far greater peace of mind than any emergency kit.