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.

The big freeze is causing a new wave of thefts as thieves steal cars or car parts when motorists leave their cars unattended to defrost.

According to new research by Sainsbury’s Car Insurance, as many as 461,000 people in the past five years have been victim of this crime, with an average of 92,000 people a year.

More than one in five of these victims did not get their cars or car parts back after they were stolen.

“Motorists must take care not to leave their vehicles vulnerable to opportunistic thieves,” said Ben Tyte, Sainsbury’s Car Insurance head.

“When it’s freezing outside it can be tempting to leave the engine running to speed up the defrosting process while you nip back inside to finish getting ready, but this could have terrible consequences.”

Tips for Defrosting your Car

If you are worried about being late in the morning for work because of the extra time it takes to defrost your car take a look at these tips.

While it is a good idea to start the engine straight away to warm it up and get the fan heaters defrosting the ice on the window, make sure you do not leave your car unattended.

Scrape away the top layer of snow which is usually soft and then get a pan of tepid water to pour over the windscreen, ensuring your windscreen wipers are defrosted to then help move away the defrosted ice.

Make sure you use antifreeze and de-ice all of your windows and lights before setting off on your journey.  It is also important to make sure the snow on top of the car is removed so it does not fall onto the windscreen while you are driving and obscure your vision.

If you have had any cars parts stolen recently, and are looking to replace them, try searching online for quality car parts at discounted prices.

According to latest figures winter tyres are in short supply with stockists not expecting deliveries until January.

Christmas journeys will be made even more hazardous for those hoping to swap their car tyres to winter ones to enable their car to handle better in freezing conditions.

What Car? revealed more than 87 percent of stockists do not expect to have any more winter car tyres until the New Year.

Some outlets claimed the bad weather was slowing their deliveries and were hoping to have tyres by the end of the week.

“If climate change is going to bring us much colder winters, we believe the Government should look at making a tyre change compulsory in winter,” said Steve Fowler, What Car? Editor-in-Chief.

“It would help to ensure that the country keeps moving safely and that motorists have more grip and confidence behind the wheel.”

Research by the AA also showed the regions in the UK where motorists were more or less likely to fit winter tyres.

Twelve percent of drivers in Scotland, nine percent in the North East, nine percent in Wales, and nine percent in Yorkshire and Humberside were likely to have bought winter or all season tyres this year.

Motorists in Northern Ireland were found to be the least likely to put a shovel in their car in preparation of getting stuck in snow, 26 percent, while 49 percent in Scotland were likely to have done this.

Those the least prepared were Londoners with 53 percent admitting to have done nothing while those in Scotland were the least likely to have done nothing at 35 percent.

Buy Car Tyres Online

If you were considering buying winter tyres, or need to change existing ones due to wear and tear you should consider looking online.

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.

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 call for winter tyres to be made compulsory continues as British motorists struggle to drive in current weather conditions.

DIAmond Advanced Motorists is urging the government to raise awareness of the benefits winter tyres make to driving in cold conditions.

They state the public perception is that they are use predominantly for use on snow, whereas the reality is they also provide cars with better handling and braking capabilities when the temperature drops below seven degrees Celsius.

Temperatures in autumn and winter tend to be mostly below this figure so fitting these tyres would be appropriate.

“The economic benefits of vehicles fitted with winter tyres are overwhelming,” said Steve Garrod, DIA general manager.

“There’s a simple solution to many of the problems British road users are currently experiencing – and the government should be more far-sighted in encouraging drivers to fit winter tyres.”

Car Part Maintenance

The AA recently found 44 percent of drivers have done nothing to prepare their motors and certain car parts for severe conditions on the roads this winter.

They showed only three percent had bought and fitter winter tyres, explaining why the country has experienced high breakdown levels recently.

If you have not checked your car before taking to snowy and icy roads take the time ensure everything is in good working order.

If you require any replacement parts such as spare tyres, windscreen wipers, bumpers or even engine and suspension parts all these can be purchased online.

These online stockists hold a large supply of quality car parts for varying make and model cars, so you will always find what you are looking for.

They also come at discounted prices most of the time so you need not worry about money at this time of year, when most people’s purses are stretched to the limit in preparation for Christmas.

Latest statists reveal the number of people owning four or more top-end cars is on the increase.

According to Aviva – car insurance provider, some of their clients own more than 30 high quality cars showing owning multiple motors is no longer something only the A list do.

They showed that these car collections are often more cared for like a treasured piece of art rather than for transport, as staff are employed to look after them for their owners.

The average vehicle mileage is 5000 miles a year for these multiple car owners motors, which is two thirds of the national average.

“The popularity of owning a collection of high value cars is growing among the wealthy of the population generally – it is not simply the preserve of A-list footballers and pop stars,” said Scott Leonard, Aviva high net worth underwriting manager.

“High value cars can be assets that appreciate in value too – some classic cars with famous prior owners have changed hands for millions of pounds.”

This rise is in part thought to be due to investors looking to find new ways to invest their money in the current economic climate as collectable cars hold their resale value.

A typical prestige car amounts to a value of £350,000 which is just over 69 times the value of the average new family car.

Top 10 Prestige Cars

The top 10 prestige cars quoted for in 2010 are:

Porsche

Bentley

Aston Martin

Ferrari

Jaguar

Mercedes

Range Rover

Maserati

Lamborghini

Rolls Royce

Buy Prestige Car Parts Online

If you collect high value cars and require a replacement car part to ensure it retains its value, try investigating online stockists.

The types of spare parts available on the internet range from second hand parts to top end replacement parts for cars such as Porsches and Bentleys.

Top quality second hand cars are predicted to sell for high prices in the New Year as availability of stock dwindles.

According to CAP consumers looking to trade used vehicles with well maintained car parts can expect enthusiastic offers from dealers looking for fresh stock.

This is positive news for motorists following other figures from the CAP Used Car Price Index which revealed a fall in second hand car prices compared to last year in December.

Although three year old cars in most sectors have been trading at lower prices this year than their exact equivalents a year before, this gap has reduced in recent months.

“The New Year will be a good time to trade in a high quality used car,” said Mike Hind, CAP spokesman.

“Our research shows that dealers are currently paying very strong prices to keep their stock levels up and that is unlikely to change any time soon.”

In September the market was 6.6 percent lower than last year, while December stands at just 4 percent lower indicating the market has taken a step forward.

The typical small family car now trades at around five percent less than last December and a large family car at just 4.1 percent lower.

The 4×4s however continue their high performance to end the year with the average second hand model worth almost 10 percent more than in December 2009.

Second Hand Car Parts

If you are looking to sell your car and could do with getting as much money for it as possible it may be worth giving it a bit of a makeover before offering it to traders.

You can buy new or second hand spare parts to replace old or worn ones online for affordable prices which will give your motor an instant lift.