Motorists will face an average repair bill of £353.87 this winter, according to winter breakdown claims analysed by Warranty Direct.

Based on 30,000 policies, the firm warns that the January-February period sees 22.5% more claims for alternator failure, nearly 17% more problems with water pumps, and a 106% increase in breakdowns caused by faulty engine oil parts. Similarly, petrol injection systems are 80% more vulnerable during the winter than the summer and the clutch is 32% more likely to need replacing.

Cracked engine cylinder heads account for one in12 claims handled by Warranty Direct with an average bill of £531.47. Power steering failures affect 10% more drivers in the winter than the summer with a £313.89 average bill to rectify.

Warranty Direct released the data to support its offer of three months' cover for the price of two on warranties taken out between now and the end of the year.