Unsplash – Matt Hearne

With the UK enduring its hottest summer on record, motorists are being warned about the heightened risk of vehicle fires. 

Data analysis by car insurance company Admiral shows a dramatic spike in claims being made for car fires in 2026. 

During June and July this year, Admiral dealt with almost 300 claims for vehicle fires. The causes ranged from electrical issues to external ignition sources.

Compared to the company’s monthly average, July represented a 40 percent increase in fire claims – and a 29 percent jump versus the same month in 2025. 

Notably, the company’s data shows that electric cars and hybrids account for just six percent of fire claims since July 2025. 

Diesel models were the most fire-prone, with more than half (54 percent) of claims made, followed by petrol vehicles on 40 percent.

Electrics are the biggest fire risk

Although EVs and hybrids seem to pose a low risk of fire, wider issues with electric wiring are the leading cause of vehicle combustion. 

Across all vehicle types, Admiral found that around three-quarters of vehicle fires during the last two years were related to electrical faults. 

The remaining quarter of claims were due to vehicles igniting from other sources, such as being parked next to a building that caught fire. 

Hot weather can place additional strain on vehicles, exacerbating existing mechanical faults and issues, or leading a car to overheat. In turn, this can cause vehicles to leak oil or other fluids, resulting in a fire starting beneath the bonnet. 

Regular maintenance can prevent fires Unsplash – Dominik Sostmann

Admiral recommends ensuring your car is regularly serviced and keeping on top of maintenance. You should also monitor your engine temperature during hot weather in case it shows signs of overheating. 

Carl Wren from Admiral said: “Hot weather doesn’t necessarily mean your car is going to burst into flames, but higher temperatures can place additional strain on vehicle systems and expose existing electrical or mechanical faults that may otherwise have gone unnoticed. 

“While extreme heat alone is unlikely to cause a well-maintained vehicle to catch fire, it can increase the risk of overheating and other issues developing.

“Our claims data suggests that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, particularly older models that might not be well maintained, are at a higher risk. 

“While it may not be possible to prevent your vehicle catching fire as a result of an external source, such as another nearby fire, there are steps motorists can take to reduce the risk of a fire originating within their own vehicle.”

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