IF YOU’VE LEFT your car in the driveway while you snuggled up infront of the fire this Christmas…make sure to check it out before the Monday morning rush.

That’s the advice from Allianz Global Assistance Ireland which is anticipating a 40% increase in calls this Monday as Ireland’s workforce gear up for their first day back at the office.

It says hundreds of drivers, who haven’t used their cars over the break, typically find that their cars won’t start on their first day back at work.

On the corresponding day last year the company saw a massive jump of over 100% in call-outs compared to an average weekday – with the busiest time being between 9 am and 11 am.

Roland Hesse, Allianz Global Assistance Ireland Country Manager, said, “The vast majority of call-outs on Monday will probably be to a customer’s home, with a flat battery being the main culprit.

Our advice is to drive your car for at least 30 minutes before Monday therefore ensuring your car battery is fully charged and ready for that first day back at work.

“We’d also recommend motorists make themselves aware of the public transport options, in case the breakdown is a more complicated issue than a flat battery.”

Read: Rise in winter breakdowns due to increasing amount of older cars, says AA>