Treat your MX-5 to a sunny break

Summer has arrived, which means it’s time for many of us Brits to swap rainy Blighty for a sandy Mediterranean coastline; dreary grey skies for perfect clear blue ones.

The only question is: how to get there?

You could fly: get on a plane, the plane takes off and before you know it you’re relaxing at your destination, right? In reality, it’s more like a rush to the airport, arrive panicked and flustered, positive you’ve missed your flight, only to then find your plane has been delayed by four hours. You feel yourself physically aging in the never-ending check-in queue. And then there’s the over-zealous security guard who takes the frisking business a little too seriously.

The alternative: let your MX-5 get you there in comfort and style. Take to unexplored roads in unfamiliar lands with your top up. When you travel by car, you instantly lose a lot of the hassles of more conventional forms of holiday travel.

Before you set off

Prior to hitting the road, you need to be fully prepared. After all, the last thing you want is your prized roadster getting into trouble on the Autobahn - or even the M2 to Dover.

Below, we provide some useful travel tips – so you don’t have to learn “Where’s the garage?” in German. Or Norwegian. Or Dutch…

Checking the little things can go a long way

Be sure to check your tire tread, windscreen wiper condition, oil (best to change before you leave) and brake lights. You also need to adjust your high and low beams if you’re driving on the right. And if your ‘5 is up for service in the near future, why not get it done a little bit early to give you that extra assurance?

Compulsory packing

Each country has slightly different legal requirements for equipment you must carry in your vehicle. For a full breakdown, country by country, visit the AA website. Some of the general items that you should consider taking include:

• High-visibility vest
• Warning triangle
• Full set of spare bulbs
• Basic first aid kit
• GB sticker
• Drivers license – both parts, photo and paper. Note, some countries require an IDL.
• Vehicle registration information
• Car insurance information

The average driving age in Europe is 18 but bear in mind, driving ages can differ by country. Further rules exist around use of seatbelts and whether you can have kids in the front seat.

Fitting it all in

A proper road trip requires proper packing – but how to fit it all in? You want to travel comfortably with passengers and luggage in tow, and there’s always someone who wants to bring the kitchen sink.

Check out what fellow MX-5 owners are saying on the MX-5.com forums. Conversations started by David Foot and Max V both discuss luggage options and how to maximise your space. Do you add a roof rack? Or purchase Mazda fitted bags? Another option is ‘stuffing’ - a technical term apparently, for getting the most of every nook of your MX-5.

Which side of the road should I be on?

Driving on the right side of the road isn’t necessarily ‘right’- depending on which country you’re in. Although it might seem like an easy adjustment, it can take quite a bit of getting used to. If you think you might forget, try sticking a note to your dashboard reminding you where you should be. A full rundown of left v right can be found on Wikipedia.

Make sure you’re covered

Let’s not forget about insurance. It’s easy to remain blissfully unaware or even assume that your car insurance includes cover for driving abroad. This is often not the case. If you have any doubts, contact your insurer. The DirectGov site also explains foreign insurance policies in full.

Next month we’re exploring some of the finest routes in Europe to take your MX-5. Until then, happy packing!

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