A car repair specialist has called on drivers to act urgently to ensure their vehicles are prepared for the incoming cold snap over winter.
Temperatures around the UK are already starting to fall, with motorists starting to wake up to see their cars covered in frost and condensation.
Data from National Highways shows that the number of breakdowns on motorways and major A roads in the last five years has jumped by 22 per cent.
Experts are now urging motorists to ensure they are prepared for a rise in breakdowns on major roads ahead of the autumn and winter months.
Petrol and diesel car owners have been encouraged to check their cars to avoid forking out hundreds or even thousands of pounds to repair their engines.
Guy Chapman, silicone seal specialist at United Silicones, warned that old, brittle engine seals are one of the most common causes of sudden, expensive failures.
He acknowledged that many drivers may falsely assume that they have an issue with their car battery, although it may actually be that rubber components become rigid and fail in the cold.
The expert explained: "Most hoses and seals in a car's engine bay are made from traditional rubber materials.
Experts are warning drivers that they could face serious engine issues this winter
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"These materials are robust, but they lose their essential flexibility and become brittle in freezing temperatures.
"When the cold air hits and the engine starts to vibrate, that brittle seal can crack, causing a sudden and catastrophic coolant leak that can lead to major engine damage."
To help mitigate these issues, Mr Chapman advised motorists to take action within the next month.
He warned that when temperatures remain low consistently at the end of October and in November, this is when the issues can be seen most clearly.
Vehicle breakdowns become more common in the winter
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These months are also some of the busiest for MOT garages around the country, especially with the rise in the number of car breakdowns on the road network.
Mr Chapman suggested that drivers should check their vehicles in the "perfect window", namely between October 21 and November 5, when frost becomes more common.
He said that this will give drivers the peace of mind knowing that there are no issues, or the reassurance that they have time to have it repaired before garages get busier.
Drivers can check their vehicles using the two-step "pinch test", which begins with motorists locating the critical points.
The expert advised motorists to focus on the main radiator hoses and any visible seals connected to the cooling system.
They should then gently pinch the hoses. Mr Chapman said if the rubber feels hard, still or crumbles under pressure, it is a "high-risk failure point".
If the components have some level of flexibility and immediately return to shape once the driver lets go, any hoses and seals will remain intact.