Saga has urged over-50s to take out breakdown cover before heading off on their holidays after new research revealed the high costs of bringing a car back home from overseas.

The survey from Saga has shown that one million UK adults aged 50 and over plan to take their car on their vacation this year, with a fifth of drivers set to travel abroad without adequate breakdown cover.

These motorists could be faced with a large repair bill as it is estimated that around 90,000 cars could suffer a breakdown and 5,000 vehicles will need to be transported back to the UK to be fixed.

Roger Ramsden, chief executive of Saga Services, said: "Breaking down is not only distressing but can be financially crippling. Some face the prospect of paying more than the car is worth just to get it home. Despite this a fifth of British motorists drive in Europe without breakdown cover."

Over-50s are most likely to breakdown in France, Spain and Portugal, with many also experiencing car trouble in less traditional holiday locations such as Finland, Malta and Albania.