Holiday car check in Rotterdam: what we check before your trip

A full car, a long drive and hot weather put a lot of strain on your tyres, brakes, battery and cooling system. Many people in Rotterdam drive home to family abroad or head south to France or Spain in the summer. With a holiday check you know before you leave whether your car is ready for it. Below you can read what we check, what you can check yourself and what to arrange for the road.

By the team at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug, RDW-approved APK (MOT) test station since 1979 · Updated 8 November 2026

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The short answer

In a holiday check, the technician checks the tyres and sets the pressure for a full load, and checks the brakes, fluids, battery, lights, air conditioning and wipers, among other things. At Autobedrijf Willemsbrug in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde we tell you the price of the holiday check in advance based on your registration number, for hybrid and electric cars too. The check is also possible on Saturday. The APK (MOT) does not replace a service. According to the RDW, the Dutch vehicle authority, your APK must stay valid while you are abroad, so have it done before you leave if it expires during your trip. Book the check three to four weeks before you leave.

What do we check in a holiday check?

During a holiday check we look at the parts that work hardest on a long drive with a full car. We do the holiday check for all makes. It works in the same way as our winter check: we tell you the price in advance based on your registration number. If the technician finds something that needs repairing, we tell you the cost first. We only carry out repairs with your approval. Among other things, we check:

  • Tyres: we measure the tread depth, look for damage and set the tyre pressure to the value the manufacturer gives for a full load. So please tell us if you are travelling with a lot of luggage, a roof box, a bike rack or a caravan.
  • Brakes: we look at the brake pads and brake discs and check the brake fluid. A fully loaded car puts more strain on the brakes, especially in the mountains. On long descents, use a lower gear so the engine helps you brake.
  • Fluids: we check the engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and screenwash. If the brake fluid level is low, we first look for the cause, such as worn brake pads or a leak.
  • Battery: we test the battery with a battery tester. On a hybrid or electric car, that is the 12-volt battery.
  • Lights: we check that all the lights work.
  • Air conditioning: we check whether the air con cools properly. If it does not cool enough, we tell you in advance what an air con service costs.
  • Wipers: we check whether the wiper blades clear the screen without streaks.

The holiday check is also possible for a hybrid or electric car. Our technicians are GMTO-certified (a Dutch certificate for safe work on hybrid and electric cars). On an electric car we look, for example, at the 12-volt battery, the tyres, the brakes and the air conditioning.

Is a service due soon? Then you can combine the holiday check with a service or with the APK. If the air con is not cooling well, you can have an air conditioning service at the same time. It costs from € 120 with R134a refrigerant and from € 180 with R1234yf refrigerant. The holiday check is also possible on Saturday. We carry out the APK Monday to Friday.

How far ahead should you book the holiday check?

Book the holiday check three to four weeks before you leave. That leaves time for a repair if the technician finds a problem, such as worn tyres or brakes. Before the summer, many people want their car checked at the same time. So call us in good time with your registration number on +31 10 479 00 00.

From Monday to Friday you bring the car between 8.00 and 8.30, on Saturday at 9.00, as agreed with you. We call you when the car is ready. You can collect the car until 17.30, or on Saturday between 9.00 and 15.00. A courtesy bike is free, as long as one is available. You can book on a Saturday if that suits you better before a weekend departure.

Is the APK enough as a check before your holiday?

No, the APK is not a service. At the APK, the inspector checks whether your car meets the legal safety and environmental requirements at that moment. The inspector does not check whether your engine oil needs changing, whether the air con cools well or how long the battery will last. Air conditioning is not even an APK item.

Servicing follows the manufacturer’s service schedule. It tells you when the oil, filters, spark plugs and brake fluid are due. If your holiday falls close to your next service, have it done before you leave. You can read what a minor and a major service include on our page about car servicing in Rotterdam.

What if your APK expires while you are abroad?

Then have the APK done before you leave, because the date cannot be postponed. According to the RDW, your car must have a valid APK while you are abroad. Without a valid APK you may not drive, not even abroad.

  • Have it tested early without losing time: you can have the APK done up to 2 months before the expiry date. According to the RDW, the new period of 1 or 2 years then counts from your old expiry date.
  • APK abroad: outside the Netherlands, a Dutch APK can only be carried out in Belgium and Spain, according to the RDW. In Spain the Spanish rules apply, so the requirements are different.
  • Take the inspection report with you: according to the RDW, you must carry the inspection report with you and show it if you are stopped.

At our garage the APK costs € 50 for a petrol car, a petrol hybrid or an electric car. For a diesel with a factory-fitted DPF (diesel particulate filter) it is € 60. Has your APK already expired? Read what to do on our page APK expired.

What can you check yourself before you leave?

You can check a few points yourself the day before you leave. The ANWB, the Dutch motoring organisation, names the tyres, the engine oil and the coolant as the main points to check yourself. Do this with a cold engine and cold tyres.

Point How to check it Note
Tyre pressure How to check itMeasure the pressure with cold tyres and use the value for a heavy load NoteThe value is on the door pillar, near the fuel filler flap or in the owner’s manual
Tread depth How to check itLook at the grooves in the tread NoteThe legal minimum is 1.6 mm. The ANWB advises at least 3 mm for a holiday drive
Spare wheel or tyre repair kit How to check itCheck the pressure of the spare wheel NoteWith a repair kit, check the expiry date of the sealant can
Engine oil How to check itUse the dipstick on level ground, after the engine has been off for at least 15 minutes. No dipstick? Check the oil level in the on-board menu, as the owner’s manual explains NoteThe level should be between min and max. Take a litre of the correct oil with you
Coolant How to check itLook at the level in the see-through reservoir NoteDo not open the cap while the engine is hot
Lights How to check itWalk round the car with someone and check every light NoteRemember the brake lights and indicators

Source for tyres, spare wheel, oil and coolant: ANWB, Auto zelf controleren voor vakantie (in Dutch, consulted November 2026).

You can read how many bar your car needs and how to measure the pressure in our article on tyre pressure.

What should you watch out for in hot weather and on a long drive?

In hot weather, the battery, the cooling system and the tyres cause the most problems. According to a news item from the ANWB of 26 June 2026, batteries fail sooner at high temperatures, and overheated engines and damaged tyres are more common in hot weather. That is why a battery test and a coolant check are part of the holiday check.

  • Check the coolant level so the engine does not overheat.
  • The ANWB advises setting the air con no more than a few degrees below the outside temperature.
  • Park in the shade if you can, or use sunshades.
  • Do not leave children, older people or animals in a parked car, not even for a moment.
Is the engine getting too hot, or is a red warning light on? Stop at a safe place and do not drive on. Call your breakdown service. If you are back in the Netherlands and the car cannot be driven, ask your breakdown service to bring it to us. Please call us first on +31 10 479 00 00. Read more in our article on an overheating engine.

How do you prepare an electric car for a long holiday drive?

On an electric car, the 12-volt battery, the tyres, the brakes and the air conditioning are the main points before a long drive. An electric car also has a 12-volt battery. If it is weak, the car may not start, even when the large battery is full. Electric cars are heavy. With luggage on board, the right tyre pressure matters even more. It also helps your range.

  • Plan your charging stops: find out before you leave where you can charge on the way, and keep extra range in reserve on busy holiday routes.
  • Charging cable and charging card: check that the charging cable is undamaged and take your charging card with you.
  • Load: a roof box, bike rack or caravan reduces the range, so plan more charging stops.
  • After a long time parked: if you leave the car for weeks, for example at an airport, the 12-volt battery can run flat. Read more about a flat 12-volt battery in an electric car.

Which rules and stickers apply when you drive to France, Germany or Spain?

That depends on the country. Driving home means you often cross several countries, and each one has its own rules. Look them up before you leave with the ANWB or the official authorities of every country on your route. Rules can change, so use an up-to-date source.

  • Compulsory equipment: according to the ANWB, many countries require a warning triangle and a high-visibility vest. In Spain, every occupant must have a high-visibility vest. Some countries require more, such as a first aid kit or a toll vignette.
  • French low-emission sticker (Crit’Air): you need it in many French cities with a low-emission zone. According to the ANWB, you order it through the official French website, at least 14 days in advance.
  • German low-emission sticker (Umweltplakette): you need it for the German low-emission zones. According to the ANWB, you can buy it in the ANWB online shop, among other places. We do not sell or fit the German sticker.
  • Staying abroad for a long time: if you stay in a country for longer than 3 to 6 months, the RDW says you must register the vehicle there. The period differs per country.
  • Insurance and documents: these are not our field. Ask your insurer which countries your policy covers and which papers you need to carry.

Going away in a motorhome? Then also read our article on getting your motorhome ready for the season (in Dutch).

Frequently asked questions

How much does a holiday check cost?

That depends on your car. Call us with your registration number and we tell you in advance what the holiday check costs. If something needs repairing after the check, you get a quote first. We only carry out repairs with your approval.

Can I have the holiday check done on a Saturday?

Yes. The holiday check is possible Monday to Friday and on Saturday, by appointment. On Saturday you bring the car at 9.00. Would you like to combine the holiday check with the APK? We carry out the APK Monday to Friday.

Can I wait while you do the holiday check?

No. You bring the car and we call you when it is ready. A courtesy bike is free, as long as one is available.

Can I talk to you in English about the check and the quote?

Yes. Our team speaks Dutch and English. If you receive a letter from the RDW or a quote in Dutch, we can go through it with you.

Do you also do a holiday check for a motorhome?

Yes. We have lifts for motorhomes up to 3,500 kg. For a motorhome, too, we tell you the price of the holiday check in advance based on your registration number. We check the base vehicle, such as the tyres, brakes and fluids. Read more in our article on getting a motorhome ready for the season (in Dutch).

Can I have a tow bar fitted before my holiday?

Yes. You can have a tow bar fitted at our garage. We tell you the price in advance based on your registration number. We do not work on the caravan or trailer itself, but we do work on the car that tows it. You can read how to get your car ready for towing in towing a caravan or trailer (in Dutch).

What should I have checked after the holiday?

Did you notice something during the trip, such as a noise when braking, a warning light or a car that pulls to one side? Then have it checked when you are back. A red warning light, a brake pedal that feels different or brakes that pull hard to one side cannot wait. Stop at a safe place and call your breakdown service. After a long drive in the mountains or with a caravan, the brakes and tyres in particular have worked hard. Light rust on the brake discs after a few weeks parked is often harmless. You can read when it is a problem in rusty brake discs.

Can I drive back to the Netherlands with an expired APK?

No. According to the RDW, you may not drive without a valid APK, not even abroad. The date cannot be postponed. So check the expiry date before you leave and have the car tested early if needed. You can do that up to 2 months ahead without losing any time.

Get your car ready for the holiday

Would you like a holiday check, or your service and APK done before you leave? Call us with your registration number on +31 10 479 00 00 and we tell you the price in advance.

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip). We work by appointment. For a quick question or check you can walk in without an appointment.

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