The number of car breakdowns in winter has increased over the past four years, with motorists urged to prepare before the next big frost.

New data from national roads has revealed that the number of winter breakdowns has increased by 22% in just four years.

Authorities recorded 68,893 breakdowns on UK roads between November 2023 and January 2024 last year. This represents an increase on the 56,517 outages recorded by the group during the 2019/20 period.

Tire problems were the most common cause of vehicle breakdowns, accounting for 19% of all incidents.

Meanwhile, loss of power was also a common fault, with this simple issue accounting for eight percent of outages.

Duncan Smith, executive director of operations at National Highways, warned motorists must “do their bit” to stay safe.

He said: “Preparation is key to staying safe during winter travel and we are already playing our part by lifting roadworks on key routes in time for Black Friday deliveries next week, helping logistics businesses .

“Throughout the winter season, we have traffic officers, control operators and operations colleagues working around the clock to keep the roads accessible, providing a smoother travel experience for everyone.

“We are now asking road users to do their part too. Carrying the right essentials and driving safely in bad weather can make all the difference.

Trucks could be most at risk in poor conditions, with National Highways previously highlighting that heavy vehicles could struggle to climb steep gradients.

In some situations, these vehicles could become stuck, potentially creating roadblocks that could prevent road critters from protecting the streets.

Repair experts and car insurance experts at the RAC admit to seeing a “sharp increase in the volume of outages when the weather gets colder”.

They admit that any “underlying mechanical issues could worsen as temperatures drop.”

It is therefore essential that road users ensure that key components are up to scratch and are not about to collapse.

The A.A. suggested that key components such as car batteries, fluid levels and tire tread depth should all be checked before a cold snap.

They added: “In the majority of tasks and activities, preparation is vital.

“Winter driving is no different, and the easiest way to ensure your safety or avoid a breakdown due to the cold snap is to check your vehicle, or have it serviced or inspected beforehand.”