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Tyres, Maintenance & Roadworthiness

How often should I check coolant?

Check coolant regularly as part of routine fluid checks, preferably when the engine is cold.

nidirect includes engine coolant among weekly vehicle checks.

Never open a pressurised coolant cap on a hot engine because hot coolant can cause severe burns.

Repeated coolant loss is not normal. If you are topping up frequently, investigate leaks, overheating or other cooling-system faults.

For 'How often should I check coolant?', treat the issue as a current roadworthiness matter rather than something to leave until the next MOT. A valid MOT does not protect you if the vehicle develops a defect afterwards.

Check the current source for 'How often should I check coolant?' before acting if the relevant rule, policy, fee or eligibility has recently changed. Keep any official confirmation or reference number produced by the process because it can help resolve a later query. This note is specific to answer 469.

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We use official and primary sources wherever possible rather than relying on generic AI-generated information.

Information checked: 25 September 2026
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