3 January 2025
At least 14,000 callouts are expected on Monday as the UK’s biggest motoring organisation deals with flat batteries, frozen engines and other reasons why cars give up the ghost when it’s time to return to work in the New Year.
The main return to work day (Monday 06 January) is expected to be one of the busiest of 2025 for car breakdowns, says the AA, as drivers return to vehicles left unused over the festive period amidst a severe cold snap – The Met Office has issued weather warnings for snow and ice across many parts of the UK.
The AA alone expects to attend more than 14,000 call-outs on ‘Miserable Monday’ – a traditional seasonal challenge it is geared up to meet, with extra patrols on duty to cope. The workload is an increase of 50 per cent on an average Monday and more than a third busier than the 8,000 average daily breakdowns its patrols attended across the festive period (20 – 30 December).
Batteries and tyres
On the equivalent day last year (Tuesday 02 January 2024), The AA was called to more than 5,000 vehicles that wouldn’t start or had a flat battery. On an average day in 2024, around 1 in 5 of breakdowns were due to starting problems – but on the first day back to work, with freezing conditions predicted over much of the UK, this this is expected to rise to 1 in 3.
Additionally, there were 37% more flat-tyres or punctures at the start of the year than any other day on average.
An AA-Yonder survey of 11,306 AA members found that half (50%) plan to drive up to 50 miles on New Year’s Eve/Hogmanay, with two-fifths (43%) expecting to cover that distance on New Year’s Day.
The Northern Irish (63%), followed by those in in the North East (53%), are most likely to be racking up more than 50 miles on New Year’s Eve, compared to only 40 per cent of Londoners. The Northern Irish (59%) again top the driving charts on New Year’s Day, with those in London and the South East (38% and 41% respectively) least likely to be driving that far.
Chris Wood, AA Patrol of the Year, says: “The first working day back in January is one of the busiest days of the year for breakdowns, with flat batteries and flat tyres the main culprits.
“A third of households have more than one car but over Christmas, only one tends to get used for visiting friends and family or to hit the Boxing Day sales. The main commuter car often gets left unused, which means problems go unnoticed until it’s time to head back to work.
“Cold conditions cause the power output of the battery to drop, and shorter journeys tend to drain your battery’s energy faster. To get a good charge in time to start up the commute, try to drive your car a couple of times for at least half an hour each trip. Check the tyres over the weekend and get any punctures repaired before the rush back to work.”
With a cold and windy start to the New Year predicted, The AA is also advising drivers to be prepared for hazardous conditions by allowing extra time for winter journeys, including time to de-ice the car.
Driving conditions for the journey back to work are likely to be hazardous, so it’s important to do the basic checks on your car before setting off. This includes topping up the anti-freeze and screen wash, replacing worn or damaged wiper blades, ensuring all lights are working and checking the tyres (including the spare) – The AA recommend at least 3mm of tread for winter driving.
As with any deterioration in driving conditions, motorists are urged to proceed with caution and allow plenty of space between you and the car in front to account for increased stopping distances. Taking warm layers and keeping at least a quarter of a tank of fuel or adequate EV charge in case of unexpected delays is advised, as is checking traffic reports regularly as conditions can change pretty quickly. If the worst does happen, it’s now twice as quick to report your breakdown vis the AA app.
It's also important to remember that opportunist car thieves welcome the frosty conditions, so never leave the car unattended with the engine running and the keys inside. Most EV drivers can save vital mileage range by taking advantage of pre-heating features while the vehicle is still connected to the charge point and the vehicle’s doors locked.