Drivers have been advised to avoid falling leaves this autumn to protect their car (Image: Getty)
A motoring expert has warned drivers of a common item that can lead to cars losing thousands of pounds on the .
Lauren Fix runs the YouTube channel and regularly makes videos in which she offers advice that can help motorists .
, Lauren recommended that drivers make sure to remove any fallen leaves from their car, warning it can .
She explained: “When they sit on your paint, they actually have some acid in the leaves, and they can cut through the clear coat. So, if you have a beautiful, brand new car or maybe an older vehicle, and you park your car in a driveway or maybe a parking lot somewhere, and you see a bunch of leaves on the car, you want to get those off your vehicle.
“The fact is that, when you buy a new car today, these beautiful paint jobs have a clear coat on top. When that clear coat gets damaged, it damages that beautiful paint colour and affects the resale value of your vehicle as well.”
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Leaves contain a small amount of acid that can deteriorate the vehicle’s clear coat (Image: Getty)
From the factory, all vehicles are given a specialist clear coat which can help to protect the paintwork from being scratched or fading from the weather.
Whilst it is typically very durable, lasting as long as the vehicle it is applied to, the small amount of acid found in items such as leaves can lead to it deteriorating.
As a result, cars that have extended contact with autumn leaves can be at risk of faded or uneven paintwork or even a greater risk of rust and corosion.
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Lauren urged drivers to apply a coat of wax to their vehicle, which can protect the clear coat (Image: Getty)
Lauren highlighted that drivers who neglect leaves on the bodywork of a light coloured car may also find different coloured spots that are difficult to remove.
She advised: “If you’ve got a white car or something that is a lighter colour, you may not realise it until you notice a little red spot or green spot and you can’t get it off.
“Well, the more you rub it with a paper towel or tissue, you’re actually going to start cutting through that protective clear coat.”
In order to prevent falling leaves from damaging the look of their vehicle this autumn, Lauren recommended that all motorists apply a coat of wax regularly.
She advised: “The best way to protect the paint is by getting a good coat of wax. If you don’t know how to wax your car, you can take it to a car detail shop and they’ll do it for you.
“Having a ceramic coating or paint protection, which I put on my vehicles, will also help. But if you have paint protection or a ceramic clear coat, that’s really the best thing you can do.”