Vehicle breakdowns peak on Boxing Day
New figures have revealed that there were 4,836 vehicle breakdowns in England between last Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
According to online used car retailer cinch, this was the highest figure for five years.
Meanwhile, over the 12 days of Christmas there were 8,418 breakdowns – a 7.3% increase on the same period between 2022-23.
Breakdowns peaked on Boxing Day when 581 vehicles required roadside assistance, with a further 580 breaking down on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day saw 448 breakdowns while there were 500 breakdowns on New Year’s Eve and 538 on New Year’s Day.
However, across the five-year period 28 December is the most traumatic day for drivers with 2,706 breakdowns in total.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, said: “Nearly 5,000 breakdowns in just eight days highlight the amount of stress that vehicles can undergo during Christmas travel due to harsher weather conditions and the strain of long-distance journeys. Nobody wants disrupted travel plans or to be stranded over the festive celebrations, and so these figures underline the potential safety risks and challenges that come with travelling.
“While some breakdowns are unavoidable, drivers can significantly reduce their chances of a festive breakdown with a few pre-journey car checks. Simple steps like checking tyre pressure, battery health, and oil and coolant levels can help ensure smoother and safer Christmas travel.”
