Winter Car Protection Checklist (UK): Bodywork, Safety and Number Plates

UK winters are hard on cars. Road salt eats at paintwork and metal, frost tests batteries and wipers, and grime off wet roads covers lights and number plates within a few miles. A little preparation now saves money, keeps you safe and keeps you on the right side of the law. Use this checklist before the cold sets in.

Protect the Bodywork

• Wash and wax before winter. A coat of wax or paint sealant gives a barrier against road salt, grit and dirt, and makes the car easier to clean.
• Wash off road salt regularly. Gritted roads leave salt on the paint, wheels and underside. Rinse it off every week or two when roads are being gritted, including the wheel arches and sills.
• Touch up stone chips. Small chips let water and salt reach bare metal, which is where rust starts.
• Protect the wheels. Clean brake dust and salt off alloys and consider a wheel sealant.
• Park smart. A garage or a breathable car cover keeps frost, sap and bird mess off the paint. Avoid plastic sheets, which trap moisture.

Check the Essentials

• Battery: cold weather is the most common cause of winter breakdowns. If your battery is several years old or slow to start the car, have it tested.
• Tyres: the legal minimum tread in the UK is 1.6mm, but grip drops noticeably below 3mm. Check tread and pressures, and consider all-season or winter tyres if you drive in rural or hilly areas.
• Antifreeze: check the coolant level and strength, ideally at a service or with a simple tester.
• Screenwash: use a winter screenwash that will not freeze, rather than plain water.
• Wipers: replace blades that smear or judder. Lift them off the screen on frosty nights, or free them gently before switching on.
• Lights: check every bulb, including brake lights and the number plate light, and clean the lenses.

Keep Your Number Plates Legal

This is the one most drivers forget. The Highway Code (rule 229) says that before you set off in winter you must make sure your number plates are clearly visible and legible, along with clearing your windows and lights. A plate hidden by dirt, slush, snow or ice can lead to a fine of up to £1,000, and cameras cannot read it either.

• Wipe both plates clean before every journey in wet or snowy weather. Rear plates get dirty fastest.
• Use lukewarm water and a soft cloth. Never scrape ice off a plate with anything hard, especially raised 3D gel or 4D characters.
• Check for cracks, peeling or fading. A damaged plate can fail the MOT, and winter is when damage gets worse.
• Do not add covers or films to keep plates clean. Anything over the plate that makes it harder to read is illegal. See our guide to ghost plates for why.

If your plates are cracked, faded or peeling, now is a good time to replace them. Our road legal number plates are made to BS AU 145e and are built to cope with UK weather.

Before Every Winter Journey

• Clear all snow and ice from every window, the mirrors, the lights and the number plates, as the Highway Code requires.
• Clear the roof. Snow left on the roof can slide over the windscreen when you brake, or blow off onto drivers behind you.
• Demist properly before you go, not as you drive.
• Do not leave the engine running unattended while it defrosts on a public road. Leaving it idling can earn a fixed penalty, and a car left running with the keys in is an easy target for thieves. Many insurers will not pay out if it is stolen that way.
• Do not pour boiling water on the windscreen. The sudden temperature change can crack the glass. Use a scraper and de-icer instead.
• Allow far more stopping distance. The Highway Code warns that stopping distances can be up to ten times longer on icy roads.

Pack a Winter Emergency Kit

• Ice scraper and de-icer
• Torch with spare batteries
• Warm clothing, a blanket and waterproof boots
• A phone charger or power bank
• A small shovel and something for grip, such as a bag of grit or a piece of old carpet
• Jump leads or a jump starter
• Water and snacks
• A high-visibility vest and warning triangle

Your Winter Car Checklist at a Glance

Need new plates before winter? Visit our shop at 133 Henry Street, Accrington, BB5 4EP, where plates are made while you wait, or order online with same day dispatch on orders placed before 1pm.