As the temperature drops and gritters return to the roads, millions of UK drivers could be unknowingly damaging their cars this winter.
According to car cleaning experts at 1dot, a build-up of salt, grit, and moisture can corrode paintwork, metal, and alloys – leading to rust spots, dull paint, and expensive repairs before spring even arrives.
Image source: Google Images (Creative Commons licence)
With the average UK car costing between £70 to £330 for a paint touch-up and £240 to £520 for four new alloys, not listening to this advice could come with costly consequences.
That’s why the team at 1dot are encouraging drivers to carry out a simple “Winter Protection Check” to prepare their cars for the harsher months ahead.
A spokesperson for 1dot explained, “Road salt is great for safety – but terrible for your car. When mixed with water, it forms a corrosive solution that clings to metal and paint. Over time, that leads to rust, flaking paint, and costly damage, especially around wheel arches and bumpers.
“The good news is that protecting your vehicle doesn’t need to be time-consuming or expensive. A quick pre-wash, a quality wax or protective coating, and regular rinsing can make a huge difference. Some of our most effective protection products work out a few pennies per use, so there’s really no excuse not to give your car some TLC this winter.”
The “Winter Protection Check” includes:
-
Clean: Rinse and wash away salt and grime weekly to prevent build-up.
-
Protect: Apply a wax or ceramic coating to act as a barrier against salt and grit.
-
Inspect: Check lower panels, wheel arches, and undercarriages regularly for early signs of rust or dulling paint.
