Drivers warned that parking under a tree could end up costing you a £1,000 fine

DRIVERS have been warned that parking under a tree could end up costing them a £1,000 fine.

Believe it or not, trees and certain animals can actually cause permanent damage to your car’s paintwork, that can leave you with a repair bill adding up to thousands.

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To help you avoid the irreversible paint damage and unwanted fines, the International Drivers Association has examined the most common issues caused by nature – and provided some tips and tricks on how to protect your car as you venture outside this summer.

Tree sap

Tree sap generally starts to fall in the spring and continues well into the summer.

If tree sap gets onto your paintwork, it can begin to eat through the wax and clear coat finish that sits on top of the coloured paint, leaving behind permanent blemishes, which could then reduce the value of your car when you come to sell it.

The key to removing tree sap and minimising damage is to act as fast as you can.

Of course, it’s difficult when you’re out and about, but if you have some water and a cloth, you can remove the excess while you’re not at home before giving the area a good clean with car shampoo when you’re able.

Bird poo

Arguably the most common blight when it comes to our cars is finding bird poo on our roofs, doors and bonnets.

Extremely acidic, it cuts through paintwork if left to set. At certain times of the year, you may also find digested berries in the poo, which can make it more difficult to remove.

If you catch bird poo while it’s still wet, you can usually wipe it off with a soft, damp cloth and some water.

However, once it’s dry, it can be more difficult to remove.

Start by getting off the excess with a damp cloth before using car shampoo and water to softly buff off the excess.

Bugs and insects

Although not as immediately unsightly as bird poo, insects and bugs are an issue for drivers in the summer months, and you’ll often find car bonnets and grills splattered with them.

Their acidic nature means they can cut through paintwork quickly, ruining the front of your car.

As with everything, it’s a good idea to target the problem as soon as you can. They usually end up stuck to windscreens, which often don’t cause an issue (other than unsightliness) but appear around front bumpers, grills, and at the side of windscreens.

A quick shampoo is usually enough here, but if you’ve left them for a few weeks, you may have to use a specially formulated solution designed to remove them.

This comes after drivers were urged to pack their cars properly while out and about on the roads this summer.

Plus, a car expert has warned drivers that their summer wardrobe could cost them £5,000 fine.