With the big summer getaway now in full swing, many holidaymakers are turning their attention to passports, boarding passes, and sunscreen—but often forget one crucial detail: what happens to their car while they’re away. To help travellers avoid post-holiday headaches, leading UK breakdown provider Start Rescue has teamed up with seasoned expert Paul Elliott of Hobbs Recovery Services to share essential airport parking tips.
Having spent over 20 years recovering vehicles from major UK airports including Heathrow and Gatwick, Paul has seen it all—and insists that the most common mishaps are usually caused by “the little things.”
“Most callouts to long-stay car parks involve a flat battery,” says Paul. “It’s often down to something as simple as a cabin light being left on while unloading luggage. Even a short break is enough time to drain the battery if a light is left on.”
The ‘Car Walkabout’: Your Departure Day Essential
To avoid an unwelcome surprise on your return, Paul recommends a quick but thorough pre-departure check—or what he calls a ‘car walkabout’:
- Lights out: Check that all cabin and boot lights are off. It’s easy to accidentally trigger a light when grabbing bags.
- Check the small spaces: Ensure stowage compartments like central armrests are properly shut, especially those with integrated lights.
- Close everything: Double-check that all doors, windows, the boot, and sunroof are properly closed to protect the battery and vehicle.
- Key sense: If your vehicle uses a keyless entry system, inspect the fob’s battery before you leave. A weak signal could leave you stranded.
- Handbrake caution: For longer trips (two weeks or more), consider leaving the handbrake off—provided the car is on flat ground and left in gear or park—to avoid the brakes seizing up.
- Tyre pressure check: Slightly overinflate your tyres before heading off. This accommodates extra luggage weight and offsets the slow pressure loss over time, helping to prevent flat spots.
When Things Go Wrong, Help Yourself Get Help
If you do need assistance, there are simple steps you can take to ensure professional help finds you quickly:
- Snap your spot: Take a few photos of location signage and parking markers before you board the airport shuttle.
- Use What3Words: This simple app can pinpoint your exact location in large car parks, significantly speeding up response time.
- Park properly: Always stick to marked bays—especially important if a recovery truck needs access to your vehicle.
“A quick photo or using What3Words can make all the difference,” adds Paul. “With some airport car parks spanning several levels and thousands of spaces, we rely on every clue to locate the vehicle fast.”
Not every callout ends in a jump-start or tow. Paul recalls one lighter moment:
“We had a call from someone who said his key wasn’t working. Turns out he’d picked up the wrong set of keys from his hand luggage. It was an easy fix—but a great reminder to double-check the small stuff.”
Confidence Backed by Credentials
Start Rescue isn’t just offering advice—they’ve earned their reputation for quality and trust. With a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot, a five-star Defaqto rating, and six consecutive years as a Which? Recommended Provider, the company has recently been named Best Breakdown Cover Provider in the 2024 Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards, boasting a 94% recommendation rate.
So before you take off on your next trip, remember: a few extra minutes of parking prep could save you hours of post-holiday stress. With Start Rescue’s expert advice and support, peace of mind starts before you’ve even left the ground.
