IAM Chief Examiner Peter Rodger said: "After a long winter of wear and tear through snow, salt and potholes - and  now volcanic dust - your car will be in need of a little TLC. Being prepared for the summer and making checks now can save you a lot of money in the long run.

"Try to deal with any minor problems and repairs as they happen, as they can become very expensive if left to build up over time," he added.

The IAM recommends five tips to prepare your used car:

• Now is a good time to treat your car to a spring clean. Salt is a corrosive and will cause rusting if left on the bodywork. If possible take your car to a car wash that specialises in under-car cleaning to get rid of every trace.
• The UK pollen season starts around now and can be pretty miserable for hayfever sufferers, so replacing your car’s pollen filter annually is a vital investment. Keeping your air-con well maintained will help, too.
• Servicing your air-con will help your car smell better. If it smells stale when you turn the heating on, it could well be a sign that mould is building up in your condenser.
• Flies will soon be out in force so be sure to refill your washer fluid. Habitually washing the windscreen and headlamps when you stop for fuel is also important as windscreen wipers won't get rid of all the fly debris.
• Old wiper blades are not only deafening, they can leave marks on the windscreen, so remember to replace them regularly. After the dust that has fallen from the volcanic ash cloud, it is particularly important that you clean them regularly to avoid damaging your windscreen.

The IAM stresses that certain checks should be made regardless of the season: "Anti-freeze contains corrosion inhibitors so you should keep your car topped up with the right mixture all year round; going without could lead to expensive internal damage such as a blown head gasket," added Mr Rodger.

Source: IAM