A MOTORS expert has warned drivers that they face a hefty £2,500 fine over a “harmless” car prank this winter.
Drivers are facing extra challenges on the road during the colder, wetter months as the weather takes a toll on our beloved vehicles.
Scrawling ‘wash me’ or ‘clean me’ on a car can land you in hot water[/caption]
The rain, snow and sleet can all cause the roads to become dirty and muddy which can splash onto our motors.
This can leave our cars looking worse for wear at this time of the year.
Especially since the wintry conditions can make our cars dirty almost immediately after cleaning them.
And when we see a particularly dirty or dusty van or car, it can be very tempting to scrawl ‘clean me’ on its exterior.
But while the cheeky message may be harmless, writing “clean me” or other playful comments on a friend or stranger’s car could land you in hot water.
Experts at car cleaning retailer, 1Dot, warned that if you get caught doing it, you could actually face a £2,500 fine.
The seemingly innocent prank could even see you be prosecuted for criminal damage.
This is because it could be classed as vandalising someone else’s vehicle and can be reported to the police.
And if the prank scratches the paintwork or windows then you could be taken to court to cover repair costs.
If the damage requires repairs costing less than £5,000, offenders can be fined up to £2,500.
Ash Young, founder of 1Dot, said: “In winter, it’s normal for dirt to start to build up.
“Wet and snowy conditions can make the roads muddy, and all that filth can end up sticking to a car’s exterior.
“Although it may seem like a harmless bit of banter, scribbling ‘clean me’, ‘wash me’ or other silly phrases on another person’s car could result in you scratching the paintwork and causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.
“To avoid unnecessary damage and a costly penalty, it’s best to leave the jokes for in-person.”
Ash has also shared his top tips for drivers who want to avoid having any messages scrawled on their dirty motors.
He recommends keeping on top of a winter cleaning routine to keep on top of their vehicles when it’s muddy and wet outside.
He said: “If it’s just a light dusting of dirt then a quick hose down should do the trick.
“But if your car’s covered in more severe muck, warm water and a good cleaning product will help loosen it.
“For stubborn spots, a soft car-cleaning brush can work wonders without damaging the paint too.”
People can be hit with a £2,500 fine for the ‘harmless prank’[/caption]
Winter can take a toll on our cars with the rain dirt and muddy, wet roads[/caption]
