Drivers could face £2,000 in damage costs if they fail to clear leaves

A new season brings a host of new problems for car owners. As drivers battle the elements in autumn, experts at Go Car Credit created a list of top tips to keep cars running smoothly and save motorists money.Damage caused by leaves to cars is the last thing drivers might expect this autumn, yet it can cause clogged air filters, or even electric fires under the bonnet.Hayley O’Connor at Go Car Credit said: ‘In these costly and uncertain times, we all want to avoid paying unnecessary expenses.”If you experienced all of these issues due to leaf damage, it could cost you upwards of £2,342.”As such, we’ve created a checklist of things to look out for this autumn to help our customers keep their cars at their best for longer.’READ MORE: Motorists could face fines for simply defrosting their car windscreens Drivers could face £2,000 in damage costs if they fail to clear autumn leaves. (Image: Getty)Some of the key damages that can be caused by leaves include: Paintwork rots – £400Obstructed radiator – £250-£500Clogged air filter – From £100Electric fires under the bonnet – From £1,000Clogged sunroof drain – £200Hidden Potholes – £142DON’T MISSPetrol and diesel cars should be ‘upcycled’ instead of scrapped [INSIGHT] Car tax changes and grants key to support electric car uptake [REVEAL] UK drivers warned of ‘nasty surprise’ when buying fuel at supermarkets [WARNING]  Fallen leaves can cause havoc in a number of ways. (Image: Getty) The UK’s most dangerous regions to drive in. (Image: EXPRESS)Another place leaves can become lodged is the air filter. Clogged filters can reduce air intake and cause poor engine performance when unburned fuel results in sooty residue accumulating on spark plugs.When dirt enters the engine it can cause damage to a variety of other internal components, all of which can become costly. Air filters that are left dirty or clogged for too long will need replacing.Cost of replacing air filter: From £100Electric fires under the bonnetTrapped leaves can accumulate under the bonnet of a car. The heat of the engine dries the leaves which can act as kindling for electrical fires.It’s important to regularly clear leaves from the hood and check under the bonnet to remove any debris that could pose a fire risk. Fire damage to cars can cost thousands of pounds.Cost of repairing fire damage: From £1,000Clogged sunroof drainDrivers might not know they even have one, but if they have a sunroof, chances are they have a sunroof drain.These are notorious for becoming blocked with leaves and debris. Drivers can check if their sunroof drain is blocked by pouring a small amount of water into the well near the drainage hole and seeing if it goes down.If it drains slowly or not at all then they will need to unblock it.Cost of unblocking sunroof drain: £200Hidden potholesAs well as clogging up cars, autumn leaves can also clog up the roads. Heavy leaf fall can make potholes harder to see when driving.As a result, drivers maintain their speed over hazardous holes which can lead to costly car damage.The average cost of repair to a car damaged by a pothole in the UK is £142.