Drivers warned over £2,000 risk ahead of June heatwave

With UK temperatures set to soar and a 30C ‘heatwave’ predicted, a car expert has warned of the silent damage hot weather can inflict on our vehicles. On Monday, the Met Office said “much of the UK will be in heatwave conditions by the coming weekend” with Saturday, June 21 set to see the mercury rise to 30C (86F).

Now Louis Rix, founder of CarFinance247, has issued his own heat alert - to warn of the dangers high temperatures can do to our motorbikes, cars, vans and trucks. From tyre blowouts and cracked interiors to engine failures that can lead to repair bills topping £2,000.

Louis explained: “Sunshine might feel great for a drive, but it can quietly wreak havoc on your vehicle. UV rays fade paintwork and crack interiors, hot roads can lead to tyre blowouts, and overheating engines can cause serious damage.

“These issues are preventable with the right summer care—but if ignored, they can cost you upwards of £2,000.’’

For example, underinflated or worn tyres can result in fines of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre, and a dirty windscreen fine can range from £50 to £1,000.

Maintaining your vehicle properly not only supports safer driving but can also help you avoid unexpected expenses.

Now he has given some useful summer car care tips on how to save money and avoid repairs.

He said: “Use a windscreen sunshade or park in shaded areas whenever possible, as this helps protect your dashboard from cracking and prevents your car’s paintwork from fading due to prolonged UV exposure.

“Check your coolant levels regularly throughout summer, because your engine works harder in hot weather, and low coolant can quickly lead to overheating, which risks serious and costly damage.

“Have your battery tested before long summer journeys, since high temperatures accelerate internal wear and can cause older or weaker batteries to fail unexpectedly, often without warning.

“Inspect your tyre pressure every week, because heat causes air to expand, and over-inflated or worn-out tyres are far more likely to blow out, especially on hot tarmac or motorway drives. Refer to your vehicle manual or this guide for correct pressure and tread advice.

“Wash and wax your car regularly during the summer months, as this removes damaging dirt and creates a protective layer that shields your paint from sun damage, bird droppings, and road grime.”

This summer safety warning comes as part of CarFinance247’s wider study into the Cleanest Car Capitals of the UK, which highlights where drivers are going the extra mile to care for their vehicles.

Newcastle topped the list as the UK city where motorists take the most pride in their cars' cleanliness, scoring high for car wash searches, facility availability, and low pollution levels.

Using a unique blend of public data on pollution, rainfall, water hardness, and online search behaviour, the Cleanest Car Index ranks cities out of 500 to reveal where car care is truly a priority.