Checking your car battery could help you steer clear of any unexpected breakdowns this year. 

A car expert has warned that 7.5 million drivers are at risk of a breakdown next year due to their car battery. 

The expert said that batteries which are six years old are in the 'danger zone' and highly susceptible to failing within the upcoming year.  

Andy Turbefield, Halfords Motoring Expert, 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! 

"However, 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. 

"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."

According to Halfords, batteries are now the third most common cause of breakdowns after flat tyres and drivers waiting for their car batteries to fail are causing nearly 200 million hours of delays on UK roads every year. 

About a fifth of car batteries in the UK are six years or older and the average battery failure takes place at 3.2 years, the new research has revealed. 

The average driver spends a massive 26 hours each year stuck in traffic due to other cars breaking down on the road, according to the recent research by Halfords involving 2,000 motorists. 

Despite the risk of causing delays to themselves and others, most car owners wait for their batteries to fail before replacing them. 

Halfords has urged people to change their batteries every three years and offers free battery health check to prevent unexpected breakdowns.