2 January 2026
Monday 5 January 2026, the first working day of the year for many, is predicted to be one of the worst for breakdowns according to The AA.
Drivers heading out to cars that have sat idle outside homes over the Christmas period often lead to a spike in calls for assistance. Last year, the first working Monday (6 January) saw 27% more breakdown requests compared to Monday 3 February*.
As cars haven’t been used, the most common callout AA patrols attend is classified as ‘vehicle not starting’, where the 12 volt battery has run flat.
On an average day, around one in five breakdowns are due to starting problems, but on the first day back to work, The AA anticipates this to rise to one in three.
Flat tyres often competes for the top spot on Manic Monday, with many drivers not noticing until they walk out to their car. Between Boxing Day 2024 and 6 January 2025, AA patrols attended more than 14,000** tyre-related breakdowns, many of which could have been prevented with a few simple checks over the holiday period.
More than 22 million car journeys*** are expected to take place on Monday, with the majority heading to work, or connecting the school run with their daily commute. To help drivers beforehand, The AA has produced a checklist to help tackle Manic Monday;
AA ADVICE AHEAD OF ‘MANIC’ MONDAY 5 JANUARY 2026
- Check your battery: Cold weather is tough on older batteries; slow starting can be a warning sign.
- Top up fluids: Oil, coolant and screen wash should be topped up.
- Check your tyres: Ensure tyres are pumped up to the correct levels and aim for at least 3mm of tread for winter driving. The legal limit is 1.6mm.
- Fuel up: Petrol stations tend to be busy on Monday mornings, beat the rush and find the cheapest pump prices where you are with The AA App’s Fuel Finder
Shaun Jones AA expert patrol, said: “Nobody likes heading back to work after the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The mad rush in the morning getting yourself ready as well as expecting traffic jams that feel like the road to hell. Levels of rage and frustration then explode when your car won’t start or you spot a flat tyre.
“These ain’t no technological breakdowns, and they can easily be avoided with a bit of planning and preparation. Checking your car over the weekend and ensuring it is in good working order will take some of the stress as people head back to work.
“We want drivers to start the year in the right gear, but if you find your morning has stalled, our patrols are on hand to help.”
* Analysis of AA breakdown data 2025
** Analysis of AA breakdown data 2024
*** Yonder received 10,024 responses from AA members to its online poll between the 10th to 19th November 2025 Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.