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Motorists are at risk of being slapped with a £1,000 fine this April, with spring showers set to cause havoc for road users. The Met Office has stressed that "more unsettled weather" is on the way, with wet and windy weather conditions. Rain, pollen and muddy roads mean vehicles could get coated in grime far quicker at this time of year.

Lee Caroline, a motoring specialist at LJC Autospares, stressed that dirty cars are more than just a cosmetic issue, with motorists at risk of being slapped with fines. The Highway Code states that drivers must ensure their vehicle is in a roadworthy condition, with car lights, windows and number plates must be kept clean and clear at all times.

Lee explained: "A lot of people think that if they can still make out the letters from the driver's seat, they're safe. But the law says your plate has to be perfectly clear from 20 metres away.

"With the way the weather is in April, it only takes one short drive behind a lorry for your plate to become a magnet for mud and go from legal to illegal in a couple of minutes."

"You can clean your car in the morning and by the time you've done a short drive, especially on a wet road, it's already picked everything back up again. It doesn't take much for a plate to stop being properly readable.

"Spring's a bit of a perfect storm for it. You've got damp roads, bits of mud, pollen in the air, and it all just sticks. It's not always obvious straight away either, which is why people get caught out."

A dirty number plate is the most risky, with road users at risk of the full £1,000 fine if their registration number is not visible from a distance.

A blocked view of the road can result in drivers being slapped with a £100 fine, with the same fee possible if screenwash is empty as it's classed as driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

Lee explained: "It's not about doing a full clean every time you use the car. Just a quick once-over before you set off can be enough. Most of the time it's a 30-second job."

Experts stress road users should give their cars a quick wipe before setting off and to always check their wipers to ensure they don't clear the screen properly.