What to Keep in a Car Breakdown Kit
FixMyCar discusses 11 essential items for any breakdown kit.
Ellie Dyer-Brown
Wednesday July 16 2025
5 min read
The number of breakdowns in the UK has been steadily rising, yet many drivers are still caught off guard when they happen. It’s a stressful and sometimes dangerous situation, but with the proper knowledge and kit, you can stay safe and in control.
This guide will help you build an emergency car kit with everything you’ll need if you find yourself stranded at the roadside.
11 things to keep in a vehicle breakdown kit
1. Warning triangle
Carrying a warning triangle isn’t a legal requirement in the UK, but we think this cheap piece of kit is worth its weight in gold. It warns approaching motorists that you’ve broken down, preventing a collision, which is the last thing you need on top of a breakdown. It’s also lightweight and doesn’t take up much space, making it a no-brainer addition to any emergency car kit.
Place the warning triangle at least 45 metres behind your vehicle on the same side of the road.
You should never use a warning triangle on a motorway.
2. High-vis vest or jacket
High-visibility clothing helps you be seen if you break down in the dark or poor weather conditions. It goes hand in hand with your warning triangle; you should put on your high-visibility vest before placing the triangle on the road.
3. Jump leads
Jump-starting your car might be just the trick for getting back on the road if your battery dies. All you need is a set of jump leads and another friendly driver – you'll be on your way again in no time.
Learn how to jump-start a car in 10 simple steps.
4. Tyre inflator
It could be miles to the nearest petrol station when a tyre pressure warning light appears on your dashboard. Instead of continuing to drive and potentially damaging your tyres, make sure you’ve got a trusty tyre inflator to hand.
Want to learn more about tyre pressure, including what it should be and how to top it up? Read this guide.
5. Torch
What if you break down on an unlit road at night? Your car’s lights and electrical systems might not work, leaving you stranded in total darkness. In this situation, you’ll be glad you packed a reasonably powerful torch with spare batteries in your breakdown kit.
6. Foil blanket and warm clothes
Pack at least one foil emergency blanket in your kit, and if you’ve got space, some warm clothes. Gloves and hand warmers are also a good idea.
You could end up waiting several hours for your breakdown provider to arrive, especially if the roads are covered in snow or ice. This leaves you in a vulnerable position where you’re at real risk from sub-zero temperatures.
7. First aid kit
You can find compact first aid kits that are inexpensive and fit in small spaces, such as a glove compartment. They typically contain plasters, antiseptic wipes, bandages, adhesive tape and disposable gloves – though you could easily create your own.
Other items you may want to include are painkillers, antihistamines, scissors, tweezers and safety pins.
8. Water and snacks
You never know how long you’ll be at the roadside, so it’s handy to have water and snacks in the car. Energy bars, nuts, dried fruit or anything else with a long shelf life will do. Chocolate is best avoided because it will melt during the summer.
9. Portable charger
Public payphones are becoming increasingly scarce nowadays, so it's always a good idea to take your phone with you in the car, even on short journeys, and also include a portable charger to keep the battery topped up.
Your car's USB port and cigarette lighter may not work if you break down, so it's best not to rely on them.
10. Shovel
A foldaway shovel is a helpful addition to any breakdown kit, especially in winter, when you might need to move snow or mud.
Check out our ultimate winter driving guide for more seasonal advice.
11. Breakdown recovery information
If you have breakdown cover, store your policy information in your kit so you can easily find the number to call for assistance and any relevant details you need to provide over the phone, such as your policy number. An app like What3Words can help you share your location accurately.
What to include when driving in Europe
Some European countries have rules about what you must keep in your car for emergencies, so you may need to add items to your emergency kit before setting off.
Visit the European Union website for rules specific to the country (or countries) you are visiting.
Items that are often mandatory include:
Warning triangle
Reflective jacket
Spare bulbs
First aid kit
Wheel chock
If you found this guide helpful, you might also like:
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Manager. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.