The first working Monday after the festive break is once again likely to be the busiest day of the year for breakdown providers.

Annually, thousands of drivers require roadside assistance as cars struggle after prolonged periods of inactivity.

Batteries remain the leading cause of the new year’s commute running flat.

Bright start

According to the RAC, the Monday following the New Year consistently records the highest volume of call-outs.

It is primarily driven by vehicles left unused over the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Many cars sit idle for days or even weeks, allowing older or weaker batteries to discharge until they can no longer start the engine.

This year’s return to work is expected to be particularly challenging, with consistently icy weather placing additional strain on vehicle batteries.

Low temperatures slow the chemical reactions required to generate power, meaning batteries that may have survived milder conditions are more likely to fail when the mercury drops.

Charging challenges

RAC data from the first Monday of 2025 showed that 24% of all breakdowns attended were caused by flat or faulty batteries, reinforcing their status as the single most significant cause of roadside call-outs.

Battery-related issues have topped the RAC’s breakdown statistics for many years, with patrols responding to hundreds of thousands of battery failures annually.

Nick Mullender, RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader, said the post-festive surge is highly predictable.

“If you’re one of the millions of drivers taking to the roads on Monday (January 5), 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. “ said.

He noted that the advice is especially relevant for households with multiple vehicles, where one car may remain unused over the holidays, and for drivers returning from trips abroad.

“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,” Mullender added.

EV vs ICE

Breakdown providers stress that electric vehicles are not immune to the problem.

Although EVs do not rely on traditional starter motors, they still depend on a conventional 12-volt battery to power essential systems.

If this battery fails, the vehicle can be immobilised even if the main high-voltage battery is charged.

Mullender advised EV owners to take occasional drives during winter and keep the main battery above 20% charge to reduce strain on the 12-volt system.

Pumped up

While battery failures dominate post-holiday breakdowns, tyre problems also account for a significant share of call-outs.

The AA is urging drivers to carry out basic tyre checks before returning to work, warning that neglect over the festive period can lead to sudden failures.

Between Boxing Day and January 6 last year, AA patrols attended more than 14,000 tyre-related breakdowns, many caused by under-inflation, damage or slow punctures.

The organisation said many of these incidents could have been avoided with routine pressure checks and visual inspections.

Staying fit

Breakdown assistance providers are reminding motorists that simple preventative steps, including regularly driving vehicles, checking tyre pressures, monitoring battery health, and ensuring adequate fuel levels, can significantly reduce the risk of joining the post-Christmas breakdown rush.

With millions returning to work and school after the holiday period, breakdown providers say the common motto for most activities remains true here: little preparation goes a long way.

It could spare drivers a cold and frustrating start to the new year.