Many drivers are completely unaware that one or more of their car's light bulbs may have blown, according to research commissioned for garage chain Kwik Fit.

The study of over 2,000 motorists revealed that 35% of drivers have suffered at least one broken bulb in the last 12 months, but 39% of those people only noticed when someone else told them.

However, the prominence of this figure suggests many more drivers may still be blissfully unaware of a blown bulb; a problem that not only significantly reduces safety on the road but will also result in an MOT failure.

Of those who had a bulb blow and didn't notice themselves, 23% were told by friends, 8% by other drivers and 3% by the police - when they were pulled over and fined.

Among those who spotted their own blown bulb, 17% saw the defect in their car's reflection while behind the wheel. The other main reasons were evenly split, with 14% being told by a dashboard warning light and 13% through noticing a reduced amount of light coming from the car while driving at night.

The survey showed that 41% of men have had a failed bulb next to 28% of women, but 45% of women relied on someone else telling them compared to 35% of men, suggesting that more women may be in the dark when it comes to their car's lighting.

The turning back of the clocks has made evenings much darker, and Kwik Fit is encouraging all motorists to check their lights on a regular basis.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit said: "Faulty lights are one of the most common reasons for cars failing their MOTs. But we would urge drivers not to leave it until the MOT to check all their lights are working, or rely on others to point it out to them."