Drivers who do not carry out regular safety checks of their vehicle could be subject to a £2,500 fine if their car is deemed not suitable to be on the roads.
More worryingly, you could be at a greater risk of causing an accident on the road if you neglect your car.
It is a criminal offence to drive a car that is in a dangerous condition, according to the Highway Code, with the penalty being a £2,500 fine and three points added to your licence, reports The Mirror.
If you are discovered to be driving a dodgy vehicle within three years of a previous conviction for a similar offence, then you could face being disqualified from driving altogether.
Mike Thompson, director at Leasing Options stated: "After a year of uncertainty for the public, it's great to see people taking a well-deserved break and heading out on road trips.
“However, it's important that before starting the journey, drivers carry out some simple quick checks to ensure their vehicle is in a safe condition to drive long distances.
"Motorists who fail to do so could risk breaking down mid-journey and also face a fine if their vehicle is deemed in a dangerous condition."
Here are some basic checks you should carry out to avoid driving a car that could be deemed dangerous:
Check your tyre tread
The legal tyre tread depth for cars in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
Worn tyres are dangerous and if their tread depth is less than the legal amount, you will be breaking the law.
The easiest way to test it is to take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread grooves on the tyre.
If you can see the outer band on the coin, then your tyres could be below the legal limit.
Check for slow punctures
Slow punctures - which is a tiny hole in your tyre that releases air gradually - mean your tyres are losing more air than they should.
Driving with one for any longer than necessary is dangerous because that slow puncture is more likely to become a fully flat tyre.
You can check for signs of a slow puncture using a tyre pressure gauge.
The biggest warning signs to watch out are if your vehicle is pulling more to one side or vibrations in your steering wheel.
Check your tyre valves
Tyre valve issues can also be a cause of a slow puncture, so any sort of failure could result in your car being not roadworthy.
One way to check this at home is adding some washing-up liquid to water, removing the valve cap, and brush the liquid over the tyre valve.
If bubbles begin to form then it is most likely the vehicle has a tyre valve failure.
Check your clutch
A major sign of a failing clutch pedal is a change in how your clutch feels - for example, if it becomes hard to use.
A cable experiencing problems will struggle to move when the clutch pedal is pressed, resulting in a pedal that resists depression when stepped on.
If you continue to press on the pedal when this is occurring, it could cause the cable to break.
You should take your vehicle to get checked out immediately if you suspect your clutch is failing.
Check for signs of a coolant leak
A coolant leak is one the most common causes of an overheated engine - but there are some checks you can do to see if you've got a problem.
Look under your vehicle when it is cool - ideally first thing in the morning, before you've driven it - to see if there’s any liquid on the ground below.
If the liquid is coolant, look around under the bonnet and feel around for wetness.
Another check involves feeling the underside of your radiator to see if it is leaking.
You should also keep an eye out for whitish deposits or rust-coloured stains, as these could indicate an old leak that has dried.
Check for dim or flickering lights
Dim or flickering lights could be a sign of a fault with your alternator.
The alternator is responsible for supplying electrical needs to a vehicle.
Another sign your alternator could be playing up is your electronic speedometer not working.
If your car temperature rises quickly and the ignition warning light comes this could be a warning sign that the belt that drives the alternator and water pump could have a fault.
In this case, you should not attempt to restart your vehicle.
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