Electrical parts dominate the claims made by used car customers under motor warranties, according to new statistics released by RAC Warranty.

The top 10 claims made during the last 12 months are headed by alternator, coil and sensor issues.

The top 10 used car issues:

1. Alternator
2. Coil
3. Sensors
4. Starter motor
5. Water pump
6. Lambda sensor
7. Gearbox
8. Exhaust gas recirculation valve
9. Window motor
10. Cylinder head gasket

Ian Simpson, RAC Warranty sales and marketing director, said: “Almost seven out of 10 used car warranty claims to RAC Warranty are made in the first six months of cover, while nearly four out of 10 – 38% - are made within the first three months.

“Information of this kind underlines the importance of the warranty element of used car propositions offered by dealers. Warranties are often taken for granted by dealers as part of the used car package they offer but remain extremely important to customers.”

While RAC Warranty does not make its own exact figures available publicly, a standard industry claim rate for motor warranties is around one in three policies.