British motorists are being warned the big freeze could cause increased car part failures with the cost of an average repair bill reaching £408.

The figures outlined by Warranty Direct reveal car parts are 283 percent more likely to fail in freezing weather.

Between December and February ignition coils are almost three times more likely to fail compared to the months between June and August.

The insurance company analysed 50,000 automotive policies showing thermostats were also more to fail in the winter months due to the added pressure of cold weather when motorists try to start their cars.

They showed there are 277 percent more breakdowns between December and February with an average cost of £204.16.

“This just goes to show that it pays to make the extra effort with car maintenance once the temperature turns chilly,” warned Duncan McClure Fisher, Warranty Direct spokesperson.

“As well as potentially messing up people’s New Year plans, or leaving drivers stranded in freezing weather, the garage bills these failures can cause are not what anyone wants.”

Fifty car parts were identified as more likely to breakdown in winter which could cost motorists repairs of up to £1,100 at a time of year cash is already in short supply due to Christmas shopping.

Fuel injection pumps were also shown to be high on the list of parts which are more likely to fail in freezing conditions with more than double than in summer, and these cost on average £321.91 to replace.

Central locking, heating and wiper motors are also more susceptible to the cold driving conditions of winter.

Where to Buy Cheap Car Parts Online

If your car has broken down or you need to replace damaged car parts due to the ice and snow try looking online for cheap car parts.

If the current cold snap continues Britain may run out of road salt to grit ice-ridden roads, making it more important for motorists to check car parts are up to the task of driving in these conditions.

Due to the early onset of below freezing weather, many local authorities are unprepared and as a result will be unable to provide enough salt to make roads safe to drive on.

David Quarmby, leading transport strategist, told the Telegraph local councils should conserve supplies to help with these current conditions.

Britain is currently experiencing the heaviest snowfall since 1965, and although we are used to having snow, the severe conditions currently seen are causing supplies to be used up more rapidly.

The country had 1.25 million tons of road salt on December 13^th before the latest onset of snow according to the Department for Transport, but a spokesman declined to tell the Telegraph how much had been used.

Make Sure Car Parts Survive the Winter

Although many people are worried their car parts will not be able to handle the snow and so are checking them or replacing them frantically before driving, you should also consider how the snow and salt may erode them too.

While the snow and freezing temperatures causes certain car parts to stop working, such as windscreen wipers stuck to windscreens, salt can cause rust to appear.

Make sure you give your car a wash once the snow has melted to get rid of any salt residues which could damage vital car parts such as engines, or body work.

If you require any replacement parts try looking online for cheap alternatives as many online stockists offer quality car parts at discounted prices.

Spare tyres, engines, suspension parts and many more bits you may require inside and out of your car can be purchased this way.

Motorists are urged to check travel news before departing for Christmas journeys to friends and family to bypass traffic hot spots.

According to the AA 18 million motorists are expected to hit the roads during the Christmas getaway, with six percent planning on clocking up more than 500 miles.

Traffic hotspots identified include all sections of the M25 especially around junctions 14 and 15 near Heathrow Airport, and the M1 between London, East Midlands and South Yorkshire is expected to be particularly busy.

“This winter has caused trouble for motorists trying to get home to friends and family for Christmas,” said Stephen Doran, TRACKER managing director.

“It’s also worth remembering that the first days after the Christmas break are the busiest on the roads, as everyone gets back to work.”

How to Keep Your Car Running Over Christmas

According to breakdown provider Green Flag, flat batteries are the number one cause of breakdowns over the Christmas period.

Drivers are reminded to switch off their lights at the end of the day and to remember heaters, windscreen wipers and fog lights all put an increased strain on the battery.

Be prepared for a car which has been sitting idle all Christmas to not start straight away when you next come to turn the engine on.

If your car requires any new car parts following the strain of the bad weather try looking online for suitable replacements.

Online stockists tend to offer discounts for certain car parts making it more affordable to keep your motor running in the New Year when money may be tight.

Car parts which may require replacing are car tyres, suspension parts and even interior parts such as carpets ruined by wet and muddy feet, and steering wheels and dashboards.

Those working between Christmas day and New Year will benefit from quieter commuter traffic research predicts.

From the data last year from Trafficmaster, expects commuter traffic to reduce following its peak on Thursday 23^rd December.

Although last year the AA came to the aid of more than 3,400 members on Christmas day showing it was not completely without trouble on the road.

It is also expected that the Highways Agency will lift or suspend many road works across the country over the Christmas period to make travel as smooth as possible.

“Drivers should keep their speed down, stick to the gritted main roads where possible, and allow plenty of extra time for their journey, even if they’re staying closer to home,” said Paul Leather, AA Breakdown spokesperson.

“What seems certain, though, is that we’ll have more very cold weather, so even in areas without snow, there will be an ongoing risk of ice.”

However, the research also predicts there will be abnormally busy traffic around retail outlets in the two days before Christmas due to the recent bad weather, which may have prevented some people from doing their shopping earlier.

Christmas Eve should see these journeys depleting by three in the afternoon as many return home early from work to start the festive celebrations.

Car Part Damage Caused by Traffic

Getting stuck in traffic is not just stressful for you the driver but also your car as is it has to either keep running without moving, or stop and start at a slow speed.

The main problem is cars tend to overheat when stuck in heavy traffic – this is especially common in older cars which have not been designed with an electric cooling fan.

If the engine starts to overheat try and divert the hot air into the driving space by turning the fan heat up.  Once the car is moving again the airflow should fix this problem.

However, if any car part is damaged from this type of driving try looking at online stockists for replacement parts.

The onset of freezing temperatures is causing havoc on Britain’s roads making it important motorists adapt their Christmas travel plans.

The AA revealed many have already started their Christmas getaway journeys when schools broke up on the 17^th December.

The busiest day on the roads is expected to be today – Thursday 23^rd December – with 76 percent of respondents in the survey of 15,927 members to drive on this day.

Christmas Eve will see 70 percent of respondents take to the roads while on Christmas day the majority intend on staying put, or as 28 percent plan, drive only up to 19 miles.  Just over half will venture out on Boxing Day.

A third of AA members are expected to travel up to 100 miles each over this period, while 51 percent intend to travel up to 49 miles to see family and friends.

“The Christmas getaway is the busiest time of the year on the roads, so if the weather’s as bad as it has been over the last three weeks, it could prove a very challenging time for drivers,” said Paul Leather, AA spokesperson.

“What seems certain, though, is that we’ll have more very cold weather, so even in areas without snow, there will be an ongoing risk of ice.”

Check Car Parts

With 51 percent planning to drive up to 49 miles in the snow, 15 percent up to 99 miles, 34 percent more than 100 miles and six percent more than 500 miles, it is vital you check your car before departure.

The last thing you will want is to breakdown halfway into your journey due to worn down car parts, so ensure they are looked after and any damaged ones replaced.

Cheap car parts can be purchased from online stockists who can deliver the spare parts straight to your front door, so you need not make an extra journey.

Families planning to take to the roads over the Christmas period are being urged to take necessary preparations to ensure safe travel.

The Royal Society of Prevention of Accidents (RSoPA) has outlined some winter driving tips ahead of the journeys people will be taking in the snow.

Winter Driving Tips

Before you set off make sure you keep an eye on weather and traffic reports to plan which route you will take, and if this is the safest one.

If you are worried about driving in snowy conditions consider postponing the journey if it is not absolutely necessary – or look into taking public transport.

Drive as smoothly as possible, keeping breaking to a minimum and try to change gear smoothly so you do not make any sudden movements.

Keep your speed down and leave longer for braking, and if you can try and brake naturally, using the brake pedal as little as possible – also remember to leave more space between you and the car in front.

“As well as smooth driving techniques, safer winter driving is about good preparation – making sure you’re in a fit state to drive, that your vehicle is in good condition and that you’ve planned your journey,” said Kevin Clinton, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents road safety head.

Check Car Parts

Take the time to check your car before you leave the house looking at individual car parts and listening to the noise they make when you turn on the engine.

Tyres should have good tread and should be fully inflated to give the best grip on the road.

Drivers should ensure they are ready to drive and are not too tired as driving on snow ridden roads requires a lot more concentration, and can be quite exhausting.

Always keep necessary items in the car boot to help you if you should get stuck in a snow storm, such as a shovel and lots of blankets and some food.

The TyreSafe organisation which aims to raise awareness of tyre care and maintenance has welcomed new vehicle manufacturers to the team.

Toyota and Lexus have joined TyreSafe to help engage and educate drivers into good car tyre practice, and have started highlighting the critical role that tyres play in safe driving with a winter weather tyre programme.

This scheme will inform Toyota owners of the safety benefits of fitting winter tyres to help with grip on snow and ice.

“Tyres remain one of the most critical elements affecting driver and occupant safety,” said Steve Settle, Toyota & Lexus customer services director.

“We hope that through our membership of TyreSafe more drivers will pay attention to the condition of their tyres, helping to save even more lives.”

Car Tyre Safety Tips

Before you drive this winter make sure you have checked your car parts and especially car tyres to ensure they will endure the harsh driving conditions.

If your windscreen wipers are broken for example this could significantly affect your vision when either rain or snow cannot be removed quickly or efficiently, which could result in an accident.

Cold weather and getting stuck in traffic can also cause cars to overheat so if your thermometer starts creeping up divert the hot air by turning up the heat inside the car, it should keep the temperature in the engine down until you start moving again.

For car tyres check regularly for tread depth and tyre pressure.  For the tread the easiest way to check you are above the legal limit is to use the 20p test.

The tyre should have a tread depth of 1.6m across the central three quarters of the entire circumference.

If you can see the outer band of the 20p coin when inserting it into a groove then it is illegal and you should have a professional check them.

Parents are being urged to get their children to monitor their bad driving habits which can cause damage to car parts and even accidents.

RoadSafe recommends asking children to rate their parents driving on car journeys to help them get out of bad habits, and to get children more aware of car safety measures for when they eventually drive.

Research has shown that when children learn to drive they are more likely to take risks if they have witnessed their parents do so.

Road accidents are the biggest cause of death among children and young people in the UK, making it vital parents do everything in their power to monitor their own driving so they influence their children correctly.

In 2009 more than ten 17-24 year old drivers were killed weekly in car crashes in the UK.

“Encouraging children to assess your skill and behaviour behind the wheel may sound like asking for trouble, but it is a good exercise for the family,” said Adrian Walsh, RoadSafe spokesman.

“They may not be old enough to drive but the sooner you get children interested in safe road use and driving, the better.”

Bad Driving Habits

RoadSafe found the following were the most common dangerous driving habits many motorists fail to correct, which could cause car parts to become worn or damaged, and worse, cause an accident.

Driving too close to the vehicle in front is a common bad driving habit, along with driving at inappropriate speeds, and this is not necessarily too fast but also too slow, forgetting to wear a seatbelt and rushing observations when pulling out and failing to use mirrors.

Approaching junctions too quickly and using a mobile phone while driving were other common bad habits which parents are urged to monitor so their children do no pick them up also.

Motorists admit to having defective car parts a new study reveals with one in three admitting to having damaged windscreen wipers.

With a new wave of bad weather set to hit Britain’s roads motorists are urged to ensure their vehicles are up to the task of facing this, but Kwik Fit shows over 11 million car drivers are making this harder for themselves.

A dirty road spray could put visibility of the road at jeopardy and 56 percent of respondents admitted they do not check their wiper blades from one year to the next.

“In poor winter weather when conditions are already tough the last thing motorists need is impaired visibility,” said Ian Fraser, Kwik Fit chief executive.

“The extra workload placed on wiper blades this time of year can quickly finish them off but replacing them is cheap, quick and potentially lifesaving.”

There are four main wiper blade faults reported in the survey and the main one is where the blades leave smears on the windscreen, accounting for 16 percent of problems.

A further 4.5 million motorists or 13 percent said their blades made a squeaking sound, and one percent reported the wiper blades scratch the windscreen which risks permanent damage.

One million motorists, three percent, said their blades do not clear water away properly.

The study showed motorists under 25 years old were the most likely to have defective wiper blades with 58 percent reporting a problem.

Drivers aged 65 and over meanwhile were shown to take the best care of their wiper blades with 72 percent claiming they are in perfect condition.

Spare Car Parts

If your wiper blades are not in perfect condition for winter it is important you have them replaced so you give yourself the best chance when tackling ice-ridden roads.

Spare car parts including wiper blades can be purchased online for discounted prices so motorists need not worry about dishing out cash which is usually in short supply around Christmas.

Breakdowns during the cold snap have centred on frozen wipers and battery problems according to latest reports.

If your car struggled in the recent cold weather it may be an idea to change some car parts to ensure it does not breakdown unexpectedly when it may not be convenient to do so.

Battery issues have been the number one fault for call-outs according to the RAC since the start of the bad weather, with over 10,000 batteries fitted in the last two weeks.

Many people found themselves unable to start their cars and also had problems with frozen cooling systems.

“With a temporary end to the cold spell in sight, I would remind drivers to make sure their wipers are not frozen to the windscreen when they turn them on,” commented Alan Wilcock, RAC patrol ambassador of the year.

De-icing Car Parts Tips

Although the cold snap has eased, weather forecasters predict a white Christmas making it even more important motorists are aware of how to defrost vital car parts to commence their festive journeys.

The RAC reported that they had had many call-outs where motorists had blown a fuse or damaged the wiper motor by not releasing the wiper-blades.

To prevent this from happening to you, make sure you spray you wipers with de-icer spay or pour tepid water over them to prevent them from getting stuck.

Spare Car Battery Parts

If cost is a problem this close to Christmas try looking online for spare car batteries to replace your existing one, or any other car part you may require.

Most online stockists hold a variety of different make and model parts so motorists can simply order the part online or over the phone and the part is delivered straight to their front door.