Okay, so aeroplanes get you there faster but there's something to be said for the good old-fashioned road trip. Packing your bags, hopping in the car with the windows down, singing songs, dreaming of a location far from home… Many tourists, particularly UK residents will be travelling by car for their holidays this year and although many will choose to stay in Britain there is a vast majority that prefer to drive to warmer climates where the weather is slightly more predictable than in the UK.

However, while most drivers setting out on their summer trips will have made sure the suntan lotion and sandwiches are packed, recent research has revealed that less than half of motorists will take the essential preparations should the worst happen or take steps to prevent a costly breakdown abroad.

Research conducted by Green Flag has revealed the most expensive places in Europe to have a vehicle breakdown. Austria was found to have the highest call out charges for assisting stranded motorists at an average of £74. This was closely followed by Ireland and Germany at £67, then Italy at £64. Spain was the cheapest at £37.

The most common location for people to breakdown on mainland Europe is France. Motorists breaking down in France without cover would face a call out charge £60 plus as much as £1 per kilometre travelled on top of that. If a motorist broke down in St Tropez and lived in Manchester it could cost nearly £1,500 to get the car back home!

During the summer, cars are put under additional strain as they travel long distances in high temperatures laden down with luggage and passengers. To avoid the inconvenience of a break down spoiling summer holiday plans, do a few simple checks beforehand: make sure the car is serviced before setting off on holiday, get your car battery checked at your local garage, make all sure tyres (including the spare) are in good condition with adequate tread depth, and check the oil and top-up if necessary.

To ease travelling through Europe, you should also ensure you have a full UK driving licence, insurance certificate, tax disc and vehicle registration document, nationality sticker and European breakdown cover documents. It's also a good idea to carry a warning triangle, first aid kit, spare set of bulbs and fire extinguisher. For extra peace of mind, make sure you have adequate breakdown cover with a company that can fix your car quickly or take you home if the worst happens. For more information visit www.greenflag.com or call 0845 246 1557.