Car damaging warning as vital part could break in snow and ice with 200,000 at risk

Around 200,000 drivers could be at risk of this serious issue (Image: Getty)

Motorists may find one vital car part is damaged as cold weather, snow and ice batter the UK this winter. 

Winter weather can have a major impact on car batteries with many finding their vehicle won’t start after a cold spell.

Cold conditions will have a sizeable impact on vehicle battery capacity and cranking power in a major blow. 

According to battery experts at Yuasa,  at 0°C a battery will lose about 30% of its cranking performance.

The specialists have claimed that over 200,000 batteries are replaced by the AA and RAC every year. 

Car batteries can fail in colder weather (Image: Getty)

They stress that battery problems are the number one reason vehicles struggle to start up over the winter. 

Batteries are also more at risk because motorists use a lot more electricity in the winter with electricity storage being drained more quickly. 

Yuasa said: “The winter weather means that vehicle electrical systems have to work a lot harder with headlights and heating being used a lot more than in warmer months. 

“It also takes a lot more power for a starter motor to turn a cold engine over. This increased demand puts a lot more strain on your car's battery.”

Car breakdown specialists at the RAC warned it was fairly simple for road users to diagnose battery issues in their vehicles.

Replacing a damaged car battery can be costly with fees ranging anywhere from £100 to £400.

The price motorists pay will depend on the type, quality and brand of the battery and whether it is still under warranty. 

Luxury or high-performance vehicles are likely to require specialised car batteries which will usually be more expensive.

They commented: “If you hear a faint whining noise when you turn the key in the ignition, but the starter motor doesn’t turn over, the likelihood is you have a flat battery.

“If the battery is totally depleted, or the cables to the battery have come loose, you may not hear anything.

“Further signs of a completely flat battery include the ignition lights on the dashboard failing to illuminate, and the car refusing to unlock via remote central locking.”