Moving On: Getting Your Car University Ready
By Motor Match • 21/08/2025
Starting university soon and want to get yours or your family's car ready to move you in, here at Motor Match we've got you covered!
Are your bags packed?
Heading off to university this Autumn or just moving back to campus? If you are going for the first time, it can be a daunting prospect as there’s often lots to do, and an array of sometimes difficult decisions to make, so ensuring everything is as in order as you can get it is crucial. One of those things is making sure your car, or your family’s car is ready to take on the big task that is moving a teenager into university - especially if that journey is a long one. It doesn’t matter whether you are commuting locally, moving across the country or even abroad, ensuring your car is at its ultimate level of delivery is key to making life easier for you!
Three tips before jumping in the car
- Revise your breakdown and insurance details
- Clever ‘car health’ check before heading off
- Research your parking options as soon as possible
With an estimated 665,000 new students due to start university in the coming weeks, and over 2.3 million people already in full-time study.
You want your policy to remain valid when you move, so ensuring both your insurance details and breakdown cover are updated, meaning the providers will then know where your car is to be situated during that specific time period.
Do your Due-Diligence
- Oil level - Top up or get it changed if needed.
- Tyre pressure & tread - Use the 20p test for tread depth.
- Coolant & brake fluid - Prevent overheating or brake failure.
- Wipers & washer fluid - Essential for British weather!
- Lights - Make sure all headlights, indicators and brake lights work.
- Extra tip - Check with your local garage or car dealer, they may offer you a free vehicle health check given you’re a student.
Create Your Very Own University Car Kit
You’ll be surprised how many items you’ll need when you least expect them. Keep these in your boot or glovebox:
- Phone charger & USB cable
- Jump leads or a power bank starter
- De-icer & scraper - winter is coming
- First aid kit
- Torch - with batteries
- Blanket or warm layer
- Spare tyre or inflation kit
Don’t feel confident checking these things for yourself? Let our team give your car a once over before sending you on your way to University?
Pack Smart
If you are taking your car to your university accommodation, remember it isn’t a moving van. Overloading it can reduce fuel efficiency and cause tyre wear.
Pack these strategically:
- Essentials first: clothes, bedding, toiletries
- Electronics in safe, padded spots
- Don’t pile things above headrests (it blocks vision)
If your car will be parked in student halls, avoid leaving valuables in sight.
Know how to handle emergencies
From a flat tyre to a dead battery, learn the basics before you’re stranded.
- How to use jump leads
- How to change a tyre (or at least know where your tools are)
- Who to call in an emergency – breakdown service or family
Keep emergency numbers saved in your phone and written down in the glovebox just in case.
Putting things in place to enjoy your studies
Having a car at university gives you freedom to explore — weekend getaways, late-night Tesco runs, even visits home without train delays.
But it comes with responsibility:
- Don’t drink and drive — ever
- Stick to speed limits, especially in unfamiliar cities
- Be mindful of passengers and distractions
Final Thoughts
A reliable car can make your university experience smoother, safer, and way more flexible. Taking a little time to prep your vehicle before term starts means fewer surprises (and costs) down the line.
Car ready means university Ready. Good luck with your studies — and drive smart!
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