DRIVERS have been warned that a two-word message could land them a £2,500 fine and a day in court.
Most drivers see it as a playful prank, but it's been revealed that writing on a dirty car could mean you're breaking the law.
Car experts at Select Car Leasing have warned that if you write 'clean on me' on someone's car, you could be fined £2,500 and spend a day in court.
This is particularly important during the winter months, as it is easier for cars to get dirty and harder to keep on top of cleaning them.
Drivers must resist writing the quip on a car as the owner could claim you are scratching the paint and causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.
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If this does happen, and the owner of the car catches you and reports it, you could face a charge of criminal damage.
If the 'criminal act of vandalism' is valued at less than £5,000, then a fine of up to £2,500 can be granted.
For example, the respray on a single car panel could cost around £500.
Speaking with Lancs Live, Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, said: "Some motorists will go to great lengths to protect their paintwork.
"There’s a whole ‘car detailing’ scene in the UK where enthusiasts swap advice on how to clean, polish and protect the paint on their pride of joy.
"And if you were to write ‘clean me’ on a vehicle owned by someone who really looks after their car, you could find yourself in a whole heap of trouble.
"The issue is that swirling your finger through the mud on a car can actually scratch the paintwork.
"If you applied enough pressure while daubing a message, you might even leave the ‘ghost’ of a word on the paint, which is visible even after the owner washes the car."
