The RAC is warning drivers to make sure their first day back in work after the Christmas break is not a case of what it has coined the ‘flat battery blues’ on ‘back to reality day’. It says the first day of the first working week after New Year is “notorious” for vehicle breakdowns.

That’s because thousands of cars have been left idle over the holiday period, leading to older, weaker batteries slowly draining to zero and failing. The RAC says it is expected to be especially problematic this year given colder temperatures which will “test the chemical reaction of car batteries to the limit.”

RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Nick Mullender said: “A flat battery at the start of the new year is more than enough to drain away the last of the Christmas spirit.

“If you’re one of the millions of drivers taking to the roads on Monday, make sure you’ve given your car a really good run in the days beforehand, even if it’s just to fill up with fuel.

“This advice is particularly relevant for families with two or more vehicles who only use one over the festive period, or anyone returning from a holiday abroad where their car has been left parked up.

“The combination of a long break where vehicles aren’t used and the recent cold weather is a perfect recipe for the ‘flat battery blues.’

“There’s no exception either when it comes to the type of car you drive.

“Electric vehicles face the same risk as internal combustion engines because they also depend on 12-volt batteries for starting.

“To avoid problems, motorists should take them for occasional drives and keep the high-voltage battery charged above 20% during winter.”

In its own words, the RAC recommends these top tips to avoid a ‘flat start’ to the new year:

• Park under cover where possible – a garage offers the best protection against cold weather

• Switch everything off at the end of your journey – lights, heater, fan, heated rear windscreen, and radio should all be turned off. Unplug dashcams and other devices which can drain the battery overnight

• Inspect battery connections – ensure terminals are tight and free from corrosion. Remember, battery acid is highly corrosive to skin and paintwork.

• Test your battery if it’s over four years old – older batteries are far more likely to fail in cold conditions

• Take your car for a proper drive before you need it – a decent run charges the battery and warms the engine. Simply starting the car briefly can drain the battery further. And, if it doesn’t start, you have more time to sort it out.

The insurance and breakdown recovery specialist added that on the first Monday of 2025, a quarter of all RAC breakdowns were due to flat batteries.

Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.