Animals cause record number of UK car breakdowns with rats ruling chaos

London: Animals have caused a significant number of car breakdowns in the United Kingdom with rats standing out as being responsible for most of the trouble.

In the first 11 months of 2023, RAC responded to 303 animal damage incidents, more than it did in any previous year on record, the company said.

Additionally, it’s a staggering 55% rise from the 196 occurrences that were reported in 2018 between January and November according to Sky news.

The numbers exclude instances in which a car collided with an animal.

This year, rats accounted for more than half of the animal damage. Rats are known to nibble on fuel hoses, infest engine bays, and shatter headlights.

In addition, foxes were found to have chewed on brake lines, windscreen wiper blades, and wiring for speed sensors.

Nick Isaac, an RAC patrolman in southwest England, reported that he saw a squirrel hoard nuts in an automobile’s air filter.

“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 should be aware that long-term empty cars or those with food inside or close by can attract rodents.