UK holidaymakers will travel a cumulative 15.7 billion miles during holidays this year, highlighting the massive importance of the car to families planning a getaway in 2014.

Research carried out by Kwik Fit revealed that almost half (46 per cent) of UK motorists plan to take their vehicle with them when they head off on vacation this year, with destinations in the UK, France and Germany the most popular among travellers.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: "Driving hundreds of miles in a short space of time will take its toll on any vehicle, particularly if you're a family carrying heavy loads.

"To cover such distances safely and with peace of mind, it's vital that holidaymakers carry out basic checks before they set off."

With the millions of miles that motorists will be undertaking over the coming months, it is essential that owners perform a range of checks before embarking, although in nine per cent of cases drivers stated they never carry out any vehicle maintenance at all.

Overall, 25 per cent of respondents to Kwik Fit's survey stated they do not check tyre pressures before heading on a long journey, while 51 per cent fail to check tread depth.

Meanwhile, 67 per cent neglect to ensure their spare tyre is in good working condition before taking to the roads. At the same time, 66 per cent do not examine engine coolant levels and 63 per cent fail to check brake fluids are topped up.

Another key area that many individuals planning a foreign getaway do not check up on when planning a trip abroad is to ensure that their insurance covers them for driving overseas. Indeed, three-quarters of respondents stated they begin their trip before carrying out this essential check.

Finally, fewer than one-quarter (24 per cent) of motorists put their car in for a full service before taking it overseas, despite the fact it will typically be notching up thousands of miles in a relatively short time.