Winter car kit UK: what to keep in the boot for cold, wet weather
Last reviewed 24 October 2026 · 7 min read
Quick checklist
Quick checklist
0 of 9 doneWho this is for
This list suits anyone who drives in cold or wet weather, whether you commute, do the school run or travel on rural roads. Even a short wait in a cold car with no signal and a flat phone feels long. A few light items change that.
The kit is not a survival bag. It helps you stay warm, be seen and call for help.
What goes in a winter car kit UK drivers can trust
Warmth
Cold is the main problem when a car stops. A fleece blanket (Retailer link coming soon) is soft, warm and cheap, and one per seat is a good rule. Keep them in a bag so they stay dry.
Foil blankets are a small extra. A pack of emergency foil blankets (Retailer link coming soon) takes almost no room and helps keep body heat in. They are noisy and they do not replace a proper blanket, so treat them as an extra layer.
Add a spare hat, gloves and a warm coat on the back seat. If you carry children, add something for them in their size.
Light
A torch matters more in a car than you think, especially on a dark road. A head torch (Retailer link coming soon) leaves both hands free, which helps if you need to look under the bonnet or read a handbook. A basic hand-held LED torch is fine too.
Keep spare batteries in the kit, away from heat, and check the torch twice a year. Our guide to how to store batteries shows how.
Being seen
A reflective hi-vis vest (Retailer link coming soon) makes you easier to see in the dark, rain or fog. Keep one for each adult in the glovebox or a door pocket, so you can put it on before you get out.
For your road type, follow the official advice. Do not rely on a general list for what to do after a breakdown on a motorway, dual carriageway or country lane. Read the National Highways pages and the Highway Code on GOV.UK, and follow the official advice for your road. If you are in danger, call 999.
Phone and power
A flat phone makes it harder to call for help. Keep a 10,000 mAh power bank (Retailer link coming soon) charged in the car, with a USB-C charging cable (Retailer link coming soon) or the one your phone needs. Charge the power bank every few months, since it loses charge slowly.
Phone signal can be patchy. Our guide on how to call 999 when the mobile network is down explains what to do if there is little signal. Write your breakdown cover number on a card in the glovebox, in case your phone is flat.
Water, food and medicines
Keep a small bottle of water and a snack that lasts, such as cereal bars or biscuits, in the kit. Replace both when you check the rest. If you take regular medicines, speak to your GP or pharmacist about what to carry on long journeys. Do not stockpile beyond what a clinician agrees.
Extras that help
- A small ice scraper and de-icer.
- A small first aid kit. Our grab bag list has ideas for what else to include.
- An old towel to wipe windows and a pair of waterproof gloves.
- A paper road atlas or a printed route, in case your phone fails.
- A plastic bag for rubbish.
Staying safe while you wait
Your first aim is to be safe. Pull over where you can, switch on your hazard lights, and follow the official advice for your road.
If you stay in the car, keep warm with blankets and layers rather than an engine left running for long.
Exhaust and carbon monoxide. Never run an engine in a garage or any closed space. If snow blocks the exhaust pipe, exhaust fumes can build up inside the car. Carbon monoxide is a gas you cannot see or smell. Clear snow from around the exhaust before you run the engine, even briefly, and open a window slightly. If you feel dizzy, sleepy or get a headache, get out into fresh air and call 999 or 111.
Do not use a camping stove, gas heater, barbecue or charcoal to warm the inside of a car or tent. They produce carbon monoxide.
Before the journey
- Check the Met Office weather warnings and your route.
- Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive.
- Charge your phone and your power bank.
- Check the tyres, lights and screen wash.
- Keep at least a quarter of a tank of fuel, if you can.
Do this today (free)
- Put a coat, hat and gloves in the car.
- Charge your power bank and put the cable in the glovebox.
- Write your breakdown cover number on a card.
- Check your torch works.
- Clear the boot, so the kit has somewhere to go.
If you have £10, £25 or £50
These are budgets, not quotes. Prices change, so check the current price first.
- About £10: a hi-vis vest and a torch.
- About £25: add a fleece blanket and a cable.
- About £50: add a power bank, foil blankets and a small bag to hold everything.
Questions people ask
What should be in a winter car kit in the UK?
A blanket, a torch, a hi-vis vest, a charged power bank and cable, warm clothes, water and a snack. Add a scraper and de-icer, and your breakdown cover number. This is our reasonable practice, not an official list. Start with what you own.
How do I stay warm in a car without running the engine?
Wear layers, a hat and gloves, and wrap yourself in a blanket. Foil blankets help keep heat in. Do not run the engine for long, and never in a closed space. If you do, keep the exhaust clear of snow, because of carbon monoxide.
Is it safe to run the engine to keep warm?
Only briefly, and only in open air. Snow can block the exhaust, so fumes, including carbon monoxide, can build up inside. Clear the exhaust first, open a window a little, and stop if you feel unwell. Call 999 if you are in danger.
What do I do after a breakdown on a motorway?
Follow the official advice for your road. We do not give motorway-specific rules here. Read the National Highways pages and the Highway Code on GOV.UK before you travel, so you know what to do. If you are in danger, call 999.
Sources and further reading
Sources
firesidefolk.com/kits-and-grab-bags/winter-car-kit-uk · Last reviewed 24 October 2026 · Fireside Folk