The RAC has reported that incidents of animal-related vehicle breakdowns have reached an all-time high.
During the first eleven months of the year, the insurance firm received 303 calls related to animal damage, surpassing the previous record of 196 incidents in 2018.
It’s important to note that these numbers exclude events where a car hits an animal.
Drivers are warned that rodents, particularly rats, may be attracted to abandoned cars or those with food inside or nearby. Rodents have been known to cause damage by chewing through fuel hoses, infiltrating engine compartments, and breaking headlights.
RAC patrols have also reported cases of foxes causing damage by gnawing through speed sensor cables, windscreen wiper blades, and brake hoses. One particularly unusual discovery was a squirrel using a car’s air filter to store nuts, causing restricted airflow and loss of engine power.
Other incidents include mice creating nests in car panels and a pet python getting stuck behind a wheel trim due to heated brakes.
RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson advised drivers to routinely check their cars, especially if the vehicle hasn’t been driven for a week or more. She also recommended keeping food items in airtight containers to prevent animals from being drawn to the vehicle.
It’s worth noting that car insurance typically covers animal damage, but it’s advisable to assess the extent of the damage before making a claim.