Rats are causing record number of vehicle breakdown

 Breakdowns because of animals somehow making their way internal cars have reached document levels - with rats accounting for most of the mischief.

according to the RAC, the company turned into known as out to 303 incidents of animal damage in the first 11 months of 2023, which is more than the identical length at some point of some other yr on file.

it's also a big 55% increase from the 196 incidents suggested among January and November in 2018.

The figures do no longer include incidents when a car has struck an animal.

more than half of of the animal harm this yr turned into resulting from rats, which might be frequently discovered gnawing away at gas hoses, infesting engine bays and breaking headlights.

Foxes have been additionally guilty of chewing at speed sensor wiring, windscreen wiper blades and brake hoses.

RAC patrol Nick Isaac, who works in southwest England, said he found a squirrel the use of a vehicle's air filter out to stockpile nuts.

"the auto had lost power and had an odd odor. once I lifted the bonnet and revved the engine, the air filter moved like it turned into being sucked closer to the engine," he stated.

"It became out a squirrel were taking nuts from a bird feeder and storing them inside the air container, proscribing air float to the automobile."

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Drivers are warned rodents can be drawn to motors with meals inner or close by, or left unused for long periods.

One patrol discovered 10 mice had made a nest in a Porsche, beneath a panel at the bottom of the windscreen.

every other became referred to as to retrieve a child pet python that have been attracted through the nice and cozy brakes of its owner's automobile and positioned itself at the back of a wheel trim.

RAC spokeswoman Alice Simpson stated locating a rat or mouse one in a car is "not only a nasty surprise" however often the reason of "very unwelcome and high-priced damage".

"sadly, incidents like this are more common than drivers would possibly anticipate, specifically over the wintry weather months whilst animals appearance to take shelter from the bloodless conditions," she said.

"To reduce the danger of animal harm, check your vehicle if it hasn't been pushed for every week or greater. The pleasant advice is to make sure no meals - for pets or humans - is left inside.

"also take a look at for uncommon smells in the automobile and take note of any dashboard caution lights that don't disappear after a minute or two."

vehicle insurance does cowl animal harm, she brought, however it is nevertheless an excellent concept to test earlier than a declare to peer if the damage justifies the fee.