Exclusive: number of breakdowns reaches five-year high

The number of vehicles breaking down on England’s motorway and major-road network reached a five-year high in the previous financial year, with Highways England recording 224,225 breakdowns in 2018/19, up from 189,256 in 2014/15. 

Breakdowns were up a fifth in the last two years and increased 14.8 per cent in 2018/19 compared to 2017/18, figures released to Auto Express following a freedom of information request show.

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The surge in recorded breakdowns comes as the average age of cars in the UK has increased from 7.8 years in 2015 to 8.2 in 2018, and is up from 6.8 years in 2003. Traffic volumes have remained broadly stable over recent years, increasing just 0.2 per cent in 2018 compared to 2017, indicating the breakdown increases are due to ageing vehicles, rather than larger volumes of traffic.

Highways England is responsible for 4,300 miles of the country’s motorways and strategic main roads. While the organisation’s network makes up just 2 per cent of England’s roads, these roads carry a third of the country’s traffic. 

Friday remains the busiest day of the week for breakdowns, with 16 per cent of breakdowns recorded on Fridays in 2018/19. Sundays, unsurprisingly, see the fewest breakdowns, at 13.46% in the last FY. This trend has remained stable over the last five years.

Last year’s summer getaway saw July and August become the busiest months for breakdowns, with 21,759 and 21,000 recorded respectively in those months in 2018/19. That bucks the previous year’s trend, when more cars broke down in March on Highways England’s roads than in any other month.

The motorways with the biggest number of breakdowns are, unsurprisingly, the busiest roads by traffic volume, with the M1 witnessing 14.3 per cent of all breakdowns in the last financial year. Highways England’s 15 busiest roads were witness to 81 per cent of all recorded breakdowns last year.

Highways England highlighted that the breakdown figures relate only to incidents the organisation was involved in or had awareness of. The agency also said that “almost half of all breakdowns are caused by simple mechanical problems which could be avoided with simple checks and nearly a quarter are caused by tyre problems.” Highways England advises drivers to check their tyres, screenwash and oil levels before setting out on long or significant journeys, and also ensuring all lights are working as they should. The agency also stressed the importance of drivers ensuring they have enough fuel in their vehicles to complete their journeys

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, commented: “Breaking down on a motorway can be a frightening experience, so spending a few minutes before you set off checking your car over could make all the difference.

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Simon Williams added: “Breaking down on a motorway or major A road is really the last place a driver wants to find themselves, so these figures serve to highlight the importance of carrying out checks before setting off.

"A lot of breakdowns are entirely avoidable if drivers check oil and coolant are at the right levels, and ensure all tyres are inflated properly and have sufficient tread.”

“With more stretches of all lane running motorways, drivers will want to avoid the prospect of stopping in a live lane. We also need people to recognise the seriousness of the red ‘X’, as it is there to protect vulnerable road users and workers.”

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