The recent cold snap across Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas has been a sharp reminder that winter doesn’t just affect the roads — it affects our cars too.

Freezing temperatures, heavy rain and dark mornings put extra strain on vehicles, often exposing problems that stay hidden during milder weather. A weak battery, low antifreeze or worn tyres can suddenly turn a normal journey into a stressful breakdown.

Local independent garage Soul Garages in Olney has seen this happen year after year. According to the RAC, almost six in ten drivers face an unexpected repair bill every year, with the average cost now standing at more than £600. More than a third of those drivers say they struggle to cover the cost, and tyres remain the most common expense but too risky to overlook when roads are wet, icy or poorly lit.

That is why seasonal checks are becoming more popular. Unlike an MOT, which only confirms whether a car meets minimum legal standards on the day it is tested, a winter check looks at the parts of a vehicle that are most likely to cause trouble during cold weather. These include the battery, antifreeze strength, tyre condition and pressures, wipers, lights and vital fluids such as oil and coolant. Problems in any of these areas might not trigger an MOT failure, but they are some of the most common reasons drivers end up stranded on cold mornings.

Soul Garages has reduced the price of its Winter Check to £54.99 until the end of February, making it far more accessible for drivers who want reassurance without committing to a full service. If the same checks were booked separately, such as wheel alignment, battery testing and fluid diagnostics, the cost would be significantly higher, which is why many motorists see it as a cost-effective way to avoid much bigger bills later in the winter.

There is also growing recognition that even when problems are found, not everyone can afford to fix them immediately. Soul Garages is one of a limited number of local garages partnered with Bumper, which allows customers to spread the cost of repairs and servicing through interest-free monthly payments. This “repair now, pay later” option is becoming increasingly important at a time when many households are under financial pressure, and it is not something that all garages are able to offer.

With winter still very much here and more cold weather likely to come, a simple check-up could help prevent the kind of breakdowns and repair bills that so many drivers experience each year. For many, it is not just about keeping the car running, it is about avoiding unnecessary stress, disruption and unexpected expense during the most challenging driving season of the year.

To book visit www.soulgarages.co.uk or call 01234 7129592