The breakdown recover specialist said that faults with cooling systems were up 102% yesterday (30 June), including an 82% rise in blown cylinder head gaskets. 

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: “The heat has taken its toll on motorists as our patrols dealt with a 92% increase in accidents yesterday as well as 237% more misfuellings, possibly as a result of people getting hot and bothered at the pumps. 

“We also experienced a 66% increase in people locking their keys in the car and a massive 456% uplift in cases of running out of fuel which we can only put down to more drivers taking to the road to make the most of the weather and possibly running the fuel gauge gauntlet as result. There was also an unusual 167% jump in vehicle fires, however the cause of this increase is as yet unknown.”