COMPANY car drivers jump-starting cars could risk causing hundreds of pounds of damage.

The issue was raised at the latest Association of Car Fleet Operators East Anglia regional meeting when one fleet manager said she had received a bill for £900 after an employee used their company car to jump-start their partners' vehicle, resulting in damage to the electronic control unit. The fleet car's handbook gave no warnings against jump-starts.

Roger Woodward, managing director of fleet remarketing firm Cars Direct, who was at the meeting, said: 'This problem is so prevalent in our business that we will probably start telling fleet managers to fit new batteries if the existing one is flat. 'A bill for £900 is not unusual and paying £30-£35 for a new battery is small price to pay to avoid vehicle damage.'