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Motorists have been told to check one part of their vehicles before driving off, with vehicles at risk of being damaged due to potholes in the hot weather. Earlier this week, the AA reported a spike in the number of pothole-related callouts, with officials pointing the finger at the hot weather for causing chaos.

Experts have previously warned that temperatures in the high 20s Celsius could damage roads. The bitumen in road surfaces can soften and rise in warm weather, making the route sticky and susceptible to damage from heavy vehicles. This has led to a siege in pothole damage with key components such as tyres, suspension and steering all affected. However, experts have also pointed out that car windscreens could become a problem with chips likely to expand under certain conditions.

Ed Colley, head of brand and marketing at AutoGlass explained: "With pothole-related breakdowns rising sharply, drivers need to be aware that damage doesn't stop at tyres and suspension. Pothole debris can help to create stone chips, while sudden jolts caused by poor road surfaces can turn existing chips into cracks.

"We'd encourage motorists to check their windscreens regularly and act promptly if they spot a chip in the glass. Chips can quickly turn into cracks - with potholes a common trigger - so an early repair is a quicker, greener and less expensive option than a full replacement."

The warm weather is set to continue into the weekend with the Met Office predicting temperatures would settle in the mid-20s in London on Saturday and Sunday. The Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) has previously warned of the severity of the damage to UK routes.

The AIA's Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey found that just 48% of roads in England and Wales are classified as being in a good condition.

This usually indicates the road has at least 15 years or more of life before work has to be completed. It is estimated it could cost as much as £16.8bn to tackle the full backlog of carriageway repairs.

AA President Edmund King called on the Government chiefs to double down on dealing with the nation's battered streets.

He said: "This summer's heatwave has starkly exposed the fragility of Britain's roads. While investment and repair campaigns have made a difference, the recent setback illustrates that much more must be done to create a safe and reliable road network for everyone.

"We urge the Government and local authorities to redouble their efforts in tackling the pothole crisis, prioritising rural routes and frequently used cycling and motorcycling corridors."