Motorists have been warned they risk paying thousands in car repair costs and Highway Code fines this winter as the colder weather kicks in.
The warning comes after experts revealed that vehicles are more at risk of breakdowns and damage during the colder weather.
It also follows a recent report which found that almost three quarters of motorists (73 per cent) fail to clean their car as often as they should, despite 67 per cent knowing that it’s an important part of car maintenance.
On average, the study found that motorists tend to clean the exterior of their car once every three and a half weeks but 16 per cent admitted to washing the outside of their car just twice a year or less.
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Cars are more at risk of breakdowns and repairs during colder months
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In winter, salt and wet leaves can get trapped in the wheel-arches making them more susceptible to rust.
If left untreated for long periods, motorists could find themselves needing costly repairs of up to £200, experts warned.
Ben Custard, car expert at Motorpoint said: “While modern cars have been coated to prevent rust, motorists still need to be making sure that they aren’t leaving their vehicles at risk of corrosion. And, if left untreated, this could become a bigger problem and impact a car’s value.
“Rust affecting your car’s framework can result in a loss of upwards of 20% of your car’s value. It can also make it unsafe to drive if it is affecting the structural components, as it can compromise its ability to handle impact, putting you and anyone in your vehicle at risk.”
Dirty cars could also break a crucial Highway Code rule. Section 237 of the Code, states that road users must always drive with “due care and attention”.
But unclean car could cause a disruption to drivers and if pulled over by the police, result in a fine of £100 and three points on a licence.
In more serious cases drivers could find themselves with a fine up to £5,000 and a maximum of nine penalty points on a licence.
Custard commented: “Valeting services or hand car washes can be a good option if you don’t feel confident cleaning your car at home but be aware that you won’t always know what products have been used and they can be expensive, especially if you’re cleaning your car every couple of weeks.”
Just under half of motorists (49 per cent) also admitted that they didn’t know how to wash a car themselves at home, instead relying on automatic car washes and valeting services.
“In the colder weather, it might be tempting to go get your car cleaned but I would advise against heading to your local car wash and instead complete the task at home,” Custard explained.
With the average cost of an automatic car wash in the UK currently £6.30, Motorpoint has calculated that drivers spend roughly £164 on automatic car washes each year.
“I’d always recommend washing your car yourself. Not only is it much cheaper than other options but you can also be confident that you’re doing everything possible to look after your car,” Custard added.
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A dirty car can increase fuel consumption and result in higher repair costs
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“As a general rule, I’d avoid automated car washes because badly maintained ones can scratch your paintwork, which isn’t just expensive to fix but can lead to more serious problems like rust and corrosion if left untreated,” he stated.