What should I do if my car starts overheating?

An overheating engine can suffer major damage if driven on. Warning signs can include a temperature gauge climbing, warning messages, steam or coolant smell.

Turn off unnecessary loads and stop safely. Do not pour cold water into a severely overheated engine or remove a hot pressure cap.

Once cooled, check the handbook and arrange assistance if the cause is not obvious and safely correctable.

For 'What should I do if my car starts overheating?', 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 'What should I do if my car starts overheating?' 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 470.