Motorists are being warned of costly repairs which could cost them more than £600 a year, with millions at risk of being slapped with huge bills.
New data from the RAC found that unexpected car repairs are costing drivers around £617 a year across all vehicle types, with as many as six in 10 motorists being impacted.
Worryingly, more than a third of drivers (37 per cent) who risk needing substantial repairs said they experienced financial difficulty when paying for them.
The most common unexpected motoring costs were associated with the wear and tear of tyres at 64 per cent, followed by brake repairs (24 per cent).
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The average cost of an unexpected car repair is more than £600
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A fifth of drivers fell victim to Britain's poor quality of roads with pothole-strewn streets contributing to issues with new suspension parts like shock absorbers and springs.
The data, from the RAC, reported that drivers also had to pay for costly issues with the exterior lights, bodywork damage like dents and scrapes, as well as worn-out 12-volt batteries.
It comes at a time when millions of Britons are bringing their cars in for MOT tests as March and September see garages at their busiest levels.
Paul Coward, chief executive of the RAC’s service, maintenance and repair division, commented on the data, saying that drivers "dread" these unexpected car repairs.
He added: "This is even more the case for the estimated third of drivers who find it hard to cover these costs.
"What's more, we know from long-term RAC research that eight-in-10 people depend on their cars, so any time a vehicle is off the road it can cause huge problems."
As more drivers find themselves with vehicle issues, the RAC has backed its growing network of RAC Mobile Mechanics to help drivers when patrols cannot.
The specialists deal with repairs and servicing vehicles at homes or workplaces, saving drivers the hassle of dropping off and picking up their vehicles from a garage.
The most common issue for the RAC Mobile Mechanics was dealing with electronic fault-finding through "diagnostics" tests, which made up 40 per cent of all issues.
Coward highlighted how drivers using the Mobile Mechanics service can spread the cost of the repair over three payments, helping motorists adjust to their repair bills.
He also noted that drivers are able to book a service from the Mobile Mechanics online, rather than having to ring. This also makes it easier for motorists who need their car at all times of the day.
The expert added: "The other clear message to drivers is a well-maintained vehicle is far less likely to break down and result in costly unexpected repairs.
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March is one of the busiest times of the year for an MOT test
PA"Servicing it regularly is key, as well as ensuring any advisories in the MOT are addressed before they become illegal or go wrong."
