The first working day of the year (Monday 5th January 2026) is expected to be one of the worst days for vehicle breakdowns, with flat batteries and tyre issues predicted to dominate call-outs, according to the AA.
More than 22 million journeys are expected to take place across the UK on the day, as commuters return to work and combine school runs with daily travel.
The AA said a surge in breakdowns is likely, as many drivers return to cars that have been left unused over the festive period.
Last year, the first working Monday of the year saw a 27% increase in breakdown requests compared with a typical Monday later in the winter.
Vehicles left idle for extended periods are particularly prone to starting problems, with older or weaker 12-volt batteries slowly draining over time.
On an average day, around one in five breakdowns attended by the AA are due to vehicles not starting. On the first day back at work, the organisation expects that figure to rise to around one in three.
Tyre-related breakdowns are also expected to feature heavily. Between Boxing Day 2024 and 6th January 2025, AA patrols attended more than 14,000 tyre-related incidents.
Many of these, the AA said, could have been avoided with basic checks before returning to the road.
Shaun Jones, AA patrol expert at the AA, said: “Nobody likes heading back to work after the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“The rush to get out of the door, combined with heavy traffic, can already make for a stressful morning, and that frustration quickly turns to anger when a car will not start or a flat tyre is spotted.
“These are not technological breakdowns, and they can easily be avoided with a bit of planning and preparation.
“Checking your car over the weekend and making sure it is in good working order can take some of the stress out of heading back to work.
“We want drivers to start the year in the right gear, but if the morning does stall, our patrols will be on hand to help.”
The AA advised drivers to check their battery, tyres and fluid levels before Monday, particularly given the recent cold weather, which can significantly reduce battery performance and tyre pressures.
