Drivers have been warned they risk spending nearly 200 million hours stuck in traffic delays each year due to a major car defect.

It comes after a shocking report revealed that car battery failures on UK roads have caused drivers to waste roughly 26 hours annually in traffic due to broken-down vehicles.

A recent report found that battery-related issues accounted for a fifth (18 per cent) of all delays, creating significant disruption across the nation's road network.

Battery faults were seen as the third most common cause of vehicle breakdowns in the UK, following flat tyres (25 per cent) and engine problems (24 per cent).

Drivers fail to change their car battery on time

But the research showed a concerning pattern of drivers failing to take preventive action with their batteries, leading to avoidable roadside incidents.

The report recorded how only 19 per cent of motorists changed their battery due to age or as part of routine maintenance, while an overwhelming 80 per cent would wait until it completely failed before replacing it.

The study also found that a fifth of car batteries currently in use across the UK (18 per cent) are six years old or more, with an additional 10 per cent of drivers unaware of their battery age in vehicles.

Now experts have warned that car batteries are typically designed to last between three to five years, making those over six years old at a higher risk of failure.

Halfords motoring expert Andy Turbefield warned that approximately 7.5 million motorists risk being put in the "the danger zone" for failing to get their battery seen to on time.

He said: "It is shocking that motorists are spending hundreds of millions of hours in delays caused by car batteries - something which could be avoided almost entirely if motorists changed their batteries proactively as they get older.

"We need a complete mindset shift from motorists, moving from waiting for failure to changing them before they give up the ghost. You wouldn't wait for your tyres to burst before replacing them!"

More shockingly, Halfords found that 25 per cent of drivers who have owned their car for eight years or more admit they have never replaced the battery.

Turbefield added: "It's clear from the results that there are a lot of misconceptions, with motorists thinking they will last longer than they often do - the average failed battery amongst those in the research is just over three years old."

The impact of battery failures extends beyond traffic delays, with 20 per cent of drivers admitting to causing traffic jams due to their broken-down vehicle.

Among drivers who experienced breakdowns, 38 per cent had to call a tow trucks for assistance while more than a quarter (27 per cent) were left stranded for hours.

Halfords detailed how a new battery can cost roughly £55, making preventive replacement a "cost-effective option" compared to breakdown expenses.

Car batteries can last between three to five years on average

Turbefield explained: "While an MOT will check the battery is secure, its connectors, and that there are no signs of leaking fluid, it’s not a thorough inspection of its condition or potential lifespan. That is why Halfords is offering a completely free battery test to all UK motorists."