Coronavirus (COVID-19): Simple Steps To Keep Your Vehicle Safe

Coronavirus: Simple Steps To Keep Your Vehicle Clean & Safe

We hope you're all keeping safe and well during these challenging times. Despite a fast moving health and economic situation, it's perhaps never been more apparent how important our transport infrastructure is to keeping the country and economy going. 

To halt the spread of coronavirus, the government has recently announced that from 30 March 2020, all MOT due dates for cars and vans will be extended by 6 months. 

And so we all have our part to play in minimising any potential safety risks or contamination when travelling to work in our cars and vans.

As far as checking the safety of your vehicle during this period, we recommend adhering to government guidelines. 

They are as follows:

Vehicle checks you should carry out

Every time you drive you should check:

• the windscreen, windows and mirrors are clean
• all lights work
• the brakes work

Your vehicle’s handbook will tell you how often to check the:

• engine oil
• water level in the radiator or expansion tank
• brake fluid level
• battery
• windscreen and rear window washer bottles - top up with windscreen washer fluid if necessary
• tyres - they must have the correct tread depth and be free of cuts and defects

The handbook will also tell you when your vehicle needs to be serviced.

Tyre tread

Tread must be a certain depth depending on the type of vehicle:

• cars, light vans and light trailers - 1.6 millimetres (mm)
• motorcycles, large vehicles and passenger-carrying vehicles - 1mm

Mopeds only need to have visible tread.

There must be tread across the middle three-quarters and around the entire tyre.

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-safe)

In addition to checking the condition of your vehicle for safety purposes, it is more vital than ever that you ensure it is clean and free of contamination. Here are some common sense recommendations of how to minimise the risk of contracting or spreading the virus via a vehicle. 

Cleaning Your Vehicle

Before entering your vehicle (particularly if it's been used by another person) clean the door handles and fuel flap.

When entering your vehicle, clean any surfaces and areas likely to be touched. These should include the steering wheel, gear stick, handbrake and any controls / dials. 

After finishing your journey, clean down the interior surfaces again before exiting your vehicle and cleaning the door handles (and fuel cap / flap if used).

Once you're back in your place of work or home, clean your hands throughly for 20 seconds with soap and water or hand sanitiser.

We're still open for business

All our staff are currently working from the safety of their homes and we're always here to help with advice and your vehicle needs. 

We hope this guide for keeping safe when using your vehicles has been helpful. And we hope you're all keeping safe and well during these challenging times.