A motoring expert has urged drivers to check one thing once every two weeks to reduce the risk of high repair bills and failing their next MOT.

March is one of the most popular times for MOT tests, with many drivers feeling nervous about their vehicle passing its annual inspection.

According to experts from the car maintenance and protection products brand Prestone, one of the easiest ways for a driver to make sure their car passes its MOT is by making sure the fluids are regularly topped up.

They explained: "Any savings you can make on the cost of running your car is sure to be a nice win for your wallet. A good place to start is with something that every motorist is more than capable of doing themselves – checking essential vehicle fluids.

"By checking things like screen wash and coolant/antifreeze yourself, you stand a much better chance of saving money, passing your MOT and avoiding expensive repair bills in the future."

Passenger cars can have up to six different types of fluid that must be checked regularly to make sure it is clean and plentiful enough to keep the powertrain protected.

One of the most important fluids that drivers should check is the oil. This can easily be checked by pulling out the dipstick under the bonnet, wiping it clean, and re-inserting it into the holster. By removing it once again, drivers can make sure the oil level is within the two markings.

Other fluids, such as the coolant, brake fluid, and screenwash, are typically checked by looking at the transparent reservoirs.

To prevent breaking down, Prestone recommended that drivers make sure to check the liquids in their car every other week, topping up fluids wherever necessary.

They added: "At Prestone, we recommend checking your car’s essential fluids at least once a fortnight to ensure they’re topped up to the ‘max’ fill line; we would also recommend doing so before any long journeys.

"Not only will this help to prevent problems in the future, but it can also give you a good idea of when different fluids might need changing."