Most people do not spend a lot of time thinking about all of the individual parts of their car, particularly if it is mostly seen as a reliable tool to commute to work and little else.

However, there are a lot of small parts that matter a great deal, one of which is the windscreen washer fluid, which helps to keep your windscreen clean, safe, scratch-free and avoid the need for windscreen replacement services.

Typically, checking the levels and topping up the wash is a relatively simple job that most car owners can do very easily, but it is essential to focus on the job in hand as a simple lapse in judgement can potentially cost you thousands if you are not careful.

Take for example the case of one owner of a Mini Cooper, who went to a local garage in her area to buy some washer fluid and top it up.

A few minutes later and thinking the job was done, she set off again driving for a few more minutes until she noticed blue smoke billowing from the car and the car washer fluid warning light was still flashing.

She quickly turned around and found the garage, only for her and a mechanic to find the engine bay covered in a brown-green sludge. She had poured the entire supply of washer fluid into the oil pan, coating the engine and effectively ruining it.

This slight lapse of judgement in choosing the wrong compartment may have set her back over £3000 and considerable time away from her car, as the engine needs to be replaced.

Thankfully, whilst a mistake like this can happen in just a second, focusing on even the most simple of tasks with your car does not take too long either, and can save you so much money in the long run.