RAT RUN Urgent driver warning over ‘record rise’ in rodents wreaking havoc on cars – and how to avoid them costing you hundreds

An urgent warning has gone out to drivers after a "record rise" in rodents wrecking havoc on cars.

Many of us are used to seeing the occasional rat or mouse on the street, but finding one in your car is not only a nasty shock it can lead to accidents and the risk of disease such as leptospirosis.

Experts are now urging drivers to take care - and offered advice on how to stop the pests costing you hundreds of pounds.

It comes after the RAC saw a massive rise in mice, rats and foxes damaging vehicles in recent years.

Experts went over the figures and saw the number of issues rose my a massive 55% from 196 issues in the first 11 months of 2023, to 303 over the same period this year.

They noted the problems get worse as the seasons change, and urged motorists to bare that in mind.

This year rats have been the biggest issue and tend to gnaw on fuel hoses, infest engine bays and chew through electric causing huge repair bills..

RAC patrol Nick Isaac, who works in south-west England, said he once discovered a squirrel using a car’s air filter to hides its nuts.

He said “The car had lost power and had an odd smell”.

“When I lifted the bonnet and revved the engine, the air filter moved like it was being sucked towards the engine”.

“It turned out a squirrel had been taking nuts from a bird feeder and storing them in the air box, restricting air flow to the car.”

RAC's Alice Simpson said the rodent issue can be so much worse than people think.

She said: “Many of us are used to seeing the occasional rat or mouse on the street, but finding one in your car is not only a nasty shock but often the cause of very unwelcome and expensive damage”.

Unfortunately, incidents like this are more common than drivers might expect, particularly over the winter months when animals look to take shelter from the cold conditions.

To reduce the risk of animal damage, check your car if it hasn’t been driven for a week or more.

The best advice is to make sure no food – for pets or humans – is left inside.

Also check for unusual smells in the vehicle and be mindful of any dashboard warning lights that don’t disappear after a minute or two.

Any foodstuff in garages should be kept in airtight containers or locked in metal bins.