An increasing number of cars are breaking down and causing hefty repair bills because the washers have forced water into parts of the car and engine where it should not go.
Tim Shallcross, head of technical policy for AA Roadside Services, which has noted the trend, said: 'Recently, patrols have come across more and more cases where people have used high-pressure washers on the car to get the engine looking clean and shiny.
However, the washers can force water into parts of the car and engine where water shouldn't be.
'The electrical connectors under the bonnet are highly protected by the manufacturer but they are not designed to withstand being blasted by high-pressure washers.'
AA patrols have found that typical faults after a wash can include the car not starting properly, warning lights showing up on the dashboard, wipers coming on by themselves and the car's lights not working.
Other problems include water coming through seals into the boot or interior – and in some cases into CD multi-changers, which has caused warning lights to show.
Shallcross added: 'A bit of grime on the engine does the car no harm. It is safer to leave it there than to risk short-circuiting expensive electronic components.'
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