Winter Car Checks: Get Your Car Ready for the Cold Months Ahead
MOT season is here, and so are the frosty mornings. Cold starts, wet roads and dark evenings are hard on your car, and small faults that barely show in summer can leave you stranded once the temperature drops. A winter health check is a straightforward way to catch those problems early.
At BTE Automotive in Bordon, you can book your winter health check online in a couple of minutes, and book your MOT for the same visit if it is due soon. Our technicians record photos and notes on anything that needs attention, you receive your own vehicle health check online, and you approve only the work you want.
Why winter checks matter
Winter asks more of a car than almost any other time of year. Batteries lose punch in the cold, tyres have less grip on wet or icy roads, lights work much harder as the evenings draw in, and wipers and screenwash are in constant use. That is why a car that started easily in September can struggle on a frosty November morning.
An MOT tells you whether your car meets the legal minimum on the day of the test. A winter health check is about how it will actually behave on cold, wet Hampshire roads in the weeks ahead. Doing both on the same visit saves a second trip. Left alone, a weak battery, worn tyres or a smearing wiper blade can turn into a breakdown, a failed MOT, or a dangerous moment on a dark evening.
What to check before winter really sets in
You do not need to be a technician to notice the obvious signs. These are the areas that matter most.
Battery
Cold weather is the classic time for a battery to give up. If the engine turns over slowly, the lights dip when you start the car, or you have needed a jump start recently, get the battery tested before a freezing morning catches you out. Check the terminals too, as corrosion or a loose connection can stop a good battery from doing its job.
Tyres and tread
The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. That is the legal limit, not a target. In the wet, most tyre manufacturers and safety organisations recommend replacing tyres once the tread is down to 3mm, because braking distances increase sharply below that. A simple 20p test is a useful guide: if the outer band of a 20p coin is hidden when you stand it in the tread, you have more than 3mm. If you can see the band, it is time to take a closer look.
Also check the pressures, including the spare if you have one, when the tyres are cold, and look for cuts, cracks, bulges or uneven wear.
Lights
Walk around the car and check the headlights, side lights, indicators, brake lights, rear fog light and number plate lights. Ask someone to press the brake pedal while you watch from behind, and make sure the headlights are aimed correctly rather than dazzling oncoming traffic. A failed bulb is a common MOT advisory or failure, and one of the easiest things to put right.
Wipers and screenwash
If the blades are split, perished or leave smears, replace them. Top up with a proper winter-grade screenwash, not water, so the reservoir and jets do not freeze overnight, and make sure the jets actually reach the windscreen.
Antifreeze and coolant
Antifreeze stops the coolant from freezing and helps protect the engine from corrosion. Check the level when the engine is cold, and never open a pressurised cap on a hot engine. The strength of the mix matters as much as the level. If the level keeps dropping, there may be a leak that needs finding rather than a quick top-up.
Brakes
Wet roads need more stopping distance, so brakes that feel spongy, pull to one side, grind, or light up a warning on the dashboard should be checked without delay. A winter health check is a good moment to have a technician inspect the discs, pads and handbrake properly.
Heater and air conditioning
A clear windscreen is as important as good tyres. If the heater is weak, the screen stays misty, or the fan is noisy, get it looked at before a cold commute. Air conditioning is not just for summer: it dries the air in the cabin and is one of the most effective ways to demist a windscreen quickly.
A few things you can do yourself
These habits help in between garage visits:
- Check your tyre pressures monthly, when the tyres are cold, and before a long journey.
- Use a 20p coin to check the tread on all four tyres, including the inner edges.
- Test every light once a week as the nights draw in.
- Keep the screenwash topped up with a winter mix, and replace smearing wiper blades promptly.
- If the engine is slow to start, do not ignore it and hope for a milder morning.
- Keep an ice scraper, a decent screen cloth, a working torch and a phone charger in the car.
If anything does not look or feel right, book it in rather than waiting for it to get worse.
Book your winter health check at BTE
Winter is when batteries, tyres, wipers and lights are put to the test. Book your winter health check with us and we will make sure your car is ready for the cold months ahead.
You book online and choose a time that suits you, any time of day, and you will receive confirmation as soon as the booking is made. Our technicians then inspect your vehicle and record photos and notes on anything that needs attention. You choose only the work you want. Nothing is done without your say-so.
The heart of this is BTE's own electronic vehicle health check. Our technicians check your car on a tablet, you receive your own health check online, and you can sign in to your customer portal at any time to view and download it. You sign in with your email address and we send you a secure link, with no password needed. You can find the portal at evhc.bteautomotive.co.uk/portal. If your MOT is due soon, book it in for the same visit.
BTE Automotive is a family-owned garage in Bordon, Hampshire, and we have been looking after cars in the area since 1990. You will find us at Unit 34 and 44, Woolmer Industrial Estate, Woolmer Way, GU35 9QF.
You can book your winter health check online in a couple of minutes, on your phone or at home.
You can also visit bteautomotive.co.uk, call us on 01420 477655, email service@bteautomotive.co.uk, or message the team on WhatsApp at wa.me/bteautomotive.
A little time now, before the hardest of the weather arrives, is the best way to stay safe, legal and on the road this winter. We look forward to seeing you.
