By keeping your vehicle regularly serviced, you significantly reduce the chances of an ill-timed break down - but even if your vehicle is well-maintained, things can still go wrong.

Of course, the vast majority of drivers are protected by breakdown cover, but before you can call a recovery service you will need to safely stop your vehicle and ensure you are personally clear of danger.

Fear of a motorway breakdown leads to some drivers avoiding M roads altogether, but the tips below should give you the confidence to take the right course of action should your car stutter to an unexpected halt.

• If you have a minor problem, try to continue to the next exit and turn off. If the problem seems more serious, or the next junction is a number of miles ahead, calmly pull onto the hard shoulder – switching on your side lights and hazard lights to warn other drivers.
• Leave the car wheels pointing to the left – away from the carriageway.
• Don’t stay inside your car on the hard shoulder – exit the vehicle via the passenger side door and call your breakdown team. Accidents can, and do, occur on the hard shoulder, so retreat to the safety of the banking, staying behind a barrier if possible. Pets should remain in the car.
• If possible, call from an emergency roadside telephone rather than a mobile – it will give the breakdown company a clearer indication of where you are to be found. Emergency phones are situated at intervals of one mile along the motorway.
• When it is safe to do so, place a warning triangle on the hard shoulder, at least 45 metres behind the car. Never try and place a warning device on the carriageway – even if your car is stranded off the hard shoulder.
• Whatever the problem, don’t try and make repairs yourself. Wait patiently until help arrives. Similarly, don’t attempt to flag down passing drivers for assistance, you’ll only serve as a distraction and could cause an accident.

Be prepared - car checklist

A motorway breakdown could happen at any time – but while it is difficult to avoid, it’s easy to prepare for. Make sure you have the following items in your vehicle whenever you set off on a journey:

• Membership and contact details for your breakdown service
• Mobile phone
• Warning triangle
• Motoring fire extinguisher
• Torch