11 November 2002: Four in ten cars will suffer a mechanical failure in the two years after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired, according to analysis by British automotive warranty specialist, Warranty Direct.

The company says British motorists will face an average garage bill of £308.71 during Years Four and Five of ownership, though major mechanical failure could easily run into thousands of pounds.

The most common problems are to be found with the suspension (24.4%), engine (12.1%) and braking system (9.5%).

Based on analysis of warranty claims made on cars aged 3-5 years old, models from the Ford stable cost the least to rectify with an average bill of £223.74. The most expensive marque was 4x4 specialist, Land Rover, where the average cost of repair stood at £467.04 – just 22 pence more than Alfa Romeo.