Breakdowns caused by animals somehow making their way inside vehicles have reached record levels - with rats accounting for most of the mischief.
According to RAC, the firm was called out to 303 incidents of animal damage in the first 11 months of 2023, which is more than the same period during any other year on record.
It’s also a massive 55 per cent increase from the 196 incidents reported between January and November in 2018.
The figures do not include incidents when a vehicle has struck an animal. More than half of the animal damage was caused by rats, which are often found gnawing away at fuel hoses, infesting engine bays and breaking headlights.
Foxes were also guilty of chewing at speed sensor wiring, windscreen wiper blades and brake hoses.
RAC patrol Nick Isaac, who works in southwest England, said he discovered a squirrel using a car’s air filter to stockpile nuts.
“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,” he said. “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.”
Drivers are warned rodents can be attracted to vehicles with food inside or nearby, or left unused for long periods.
—Agencies
