CARS ars are more likely to break down on a Monday than on any other day of the week, according to new AA figures.

Mondays accounted for seven out of the AA’s 10 busiest days in 2003, with up to twice as many drivers needing assistance than on other days. The busiest day of the year was Monday, January 6, with more than 22,500 breakdowns attended, compared to a normal daily average of 11,000.

The breakdown analysis also shows that battery problems topped the most common reasons for call-outs, accounting for one in six of the 3.9 million breakdowns attended by AA patrols during the year. It is the sixth consecutive year that flat or faulty batteries have been number one in the top 10.

Tyres were the second biggest problem, accounting for nearly one in 10 call-outs, followed by difficulties with keys or locks.

Locking nuts used to deter thieves from stealing expensive alloy wheelsare driving motorists nuts, according to AA Tyre Fit. The security devices cause problems at one in 10 new tyre fitments, often meaning a job which should be completed in 30-40 minutes takes several hours.

The most common problem is that the special key needed to release them is missing or lost. AA Tyre Fit general manager, David Goodyear, said: “This is becoming a bigger problem as more cars are being fitted with alloy wheels and locking nuts.

“Motorists expect that removing a wheel should be an easy job, but if the key is lost, it creates a real headache.

“The advice from AA Tyre Fit is to make sure the key is kept in a secure place inside the vehicle and to check that it has been returned after servicing or tyre fitting.”