26 December 2023 , 17:11
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Hundreds of cars and vans have been destroyed this year as rampaging rats have gnawed on fuel hoses, infested engine bays and broken headlights.
The tide of furry vandals is so severe that the RAC has said breakdowns caused by animals munching on our vehicles are now at record levels. The breakdown group said they were called out to 303 incidents of animal damage in the first 11 months of the year.
That is more than the same period during any other year on record, and represents a 55% hike from 196 between January and November 2018. More than half (51%) of this year’s animal damage breakdowns were caused by rats. The vermin often gnaw fuel hoses, infest engine bays and break headlights meanwhile the RAC said patrols had also reported numerous cases of foxes chewing speed sensor wiring, windscreen wiper blades and brake hoses.
Patrolman Nick Isaac, who works in south-west 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,” he explained.
"When I lifted the bonnet and revved the engine, the air filter moved like it was being sucked towards the engine. 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.”
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The furry vandals have been a nightmare for motorists (Getty Images)Another RAC patrol found 10 mice had made a nest under a panel at the bottom of the windscreen of a Porche. Alice Simpson, a spokeswoman for the RAC said: “Many of us are used to seeing the occasional rat or mouse on the street, but finding one in your car is not only a nasty shock but often the cause of very unwelcome and expensive damage.
“Unfortunately, incidents like this are more common than drivers might expect, particularly over the winter months when animals look to take shelter from the cold conditions. To reduce the risk of animal damage, check your car if it hasn’t been driven for a week or more.
"The best advice is to make sure no food – for pets or humans – is left inside. Also check for unusual smells in the vehicle and be mindful of any dashboard warning lights that don’t disappear after a minute or two. Any foodstuff in garages should be kept in airtight containers or locked in metal bins. Car insurance does cover animal damage, but it’s worth checking before you claim to see if the damage justifies the expense.”