Freezing temperatures can lead to many motorists running into trouble when it comes to keeping a charge in their car's electrical systems at this time of year, but it's not just the weather that can lead to a flat battery.

Research published by vehicle maintenance provider Kwik Fit showed a range of technologies have entered the average car in recent years and these items could be placing a further strain on battery power.

Overall, 38 per cent of UK drivers now own a sat-nav device that they regularly charge in their vehicle, while 36 per cent of drivers use their car battery to also charge their smartphones.

A total of 15 per cent of the just over 2,000 respondents who were surveyed by Kwik Fit said they regularly charge mobile phones (excluding smartphones) in their vehicle and ten per cent charge an iPod or other music device. Finally, seven per cent stated they charge mobile devices like tablets in their car.

Further to these results, Kwik Fit's data also showed more than half (52 per cent) of motorists do not have their battery checked to ensure it is in good working order each winter, while more than one-third (36 per cent) held the incorrect belief that their vehicle's battery health is examined as part of an annual MOT.

It is therefore essential for drivers to be proactive in this area and carry out regular checks of their battery themselves.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, commented: "Many motorists don't realise the effect devices plugged into their cars can have on a battery.

"Sat-navs, tablets and other gadgets that are designed to make our lives more comfortable can actually have the opposite effect, by cutting short the life of even a new battery and leaving us stuck with a car that won't start."

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