The six car repairs likely to go wrong this winter and they’ll cost you £1,100 to fix – here’s how to avoid them
Drivers are up to four times more likely to suffer these car faults during colder months compared to the rest of the year. And here's why they could cut into your Christmas budget
MOTORISTS are up to four times more likely to rack up costly damage to their car during the winter months.
Thanks to all the ice and snow around at this time of year, drivers are at risk of hefty repair bills cutting into Christmas budgets.
According to data collected by , winter plays havoc on our cars, with battery, start motor and alternator faults significantly higher than in warmer months - and repair bills total almost £1,100.
On top of the cooler temperatures, Christmas and New Year mean calendars are jam-packed and drivers often forget to take their car in for service.
Andrew Jervis, co-founder of ClickMechanic, said: “Many motorists forget to take care of their vehicle at this time of year.
"Cold conditions can cause an array of expensive problems for your car and, with a little TLC, potential repair bills can be reduced and the repairs themselves may last longer.”
Read on to see why these repairs are more likely to give you a headache in the winter months.
Door mirror replacement
Icy roads make controlling the car more difficult in the winter months, making it more than four times more likely that another driver will clip your door mirrors.
The only way to prevent your mirrors from being smashed is taking as much care as possible on the road, and being extra aware that other drivers may not be as steady as usual.
If you're driving down a narrow lane, consider folding yours in to avoid parked cars - and when you're parked fold them away, too.
Battery replacement
Batteries can lose power in chilly temperatures, as a cold engine requires more juice to get it started.
If your battery is more than five years old or already showing signs of slowing down, the winter could see its end.
Battery life can be prolonged by switching off electrical items like lights and the heater while your car initially warms up.
Coil spring replacement
Worn coil springs can be at more risk of rust during winter due to the high amount of moisture and salt on the roads.
If your coil springs rust through, it can have a serious impact on the working ability of your shock absorbers.
Regularly rinsing under your wheel hubs with a hose can help to prevent rust and prolong the coil's life.
Alternator/Alternator belt replacement
As your battery requires more power during winter months, the alternator takes on more strain in its role charging the battery.
If the alternator is struggling, a warning light will usually appear on your dashboard.
Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do to prolong the life of your alternator, other than keep it clean and ensure the belt that drives it is in good working order.
Starter motor replacement
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Similar to the alternator, the starter motor is under more strain as the temperature drops, due to the higher energy demand to get your car going.
There also isn't much you can do to prevent the starter motor from dying, but you can prolong its life.
If your vehicle is reluctant to start, avoid continually trying to tick the engine over without giving it chance to cool down.
You should only use the starter motor for 30 seconds and then let it cool for another 30 seconds before re-trying.