EXPERTS have warned drivers against a viral TikTok trend that could lead to costly repairs.
And while you may assume this craze relates to dangerous driving, it actually occurs in car washes.
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Whether you’ve pulled into a self-service car wash or you’re giving your vehicle and clean at home, it’s best to avoid this popular trend.
The fad sees involves dancing, pressure-washing, and even climbing on a car to the sped-up soundtrack of Ellie Goulding’s “Lights”.
Expert warning
And while these videos may look fun and harmless, Scrap Car Comparison’s Customer Service Manager Matt Clamp explained how these actions could actually damage your vehicle and your wallet.
Drivers risk costly damage to their cars, including dents, cracked panels, and broken parts.
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“The dancing and stunts encouraged in the videos often lead to the users standing on the bonnets or roofs of their cars, which could lead to dents, big scratches, or cracks in the panels,” Matt explained.
He estimated that repairs for these issues could end up costing anywhere from £150 to over £1,000.
Meanwhile, powerful pressure washers can also break fragile parts like windscreen wipers and mirrors, as well as corroding paintwork.
“You need to be careful when using such a powerful stream, as it could damage smaller, more fragile parts of your car such as windscreen wipers, mirrors or plastic trims, but it could equally damage the chrome and paint,” Matt said.
This could potentially strip the protective layers from your vehicle, leading to resprays of up to £2,000.
“Respraying an etched or faded clear coat to rack up to £2,000 if several panels are damaged,” he added.
Environmental concerns
On top of that, the excessive water use raises environmental concerns, the motors expert pointed out.
“The excessive water use in the video itself is one thing but ineffective cleaning usually means the job will have to be done again, ultimately using more water and cleaning supplies,” Matt explained.
This could also end up racking up your water bills over time.
So while even Ellie Goulding has responded to the popular trend, it may be worth avoiding to save yourself money in the long run.
Drivers are instead being urged to stick to safe, proper car-cleaning methods
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