You get in your car one morning and it struggles to start. The engine management light is on, and when you open the bonnet, you find insulation torn to pieces. Or perhaps there's coolant dripping onto the ground because something has chewed through a hose. If you park on a driveway, near a park or in a neighbourhood with lots of trees, you might have had an unexpected visitor overnight. A marten. And marten damage to car wiring and hoses can get expensive very quickly.
Why do martens get under your bonnet?
For a marten, your engine bay is practically perfect. Warm, dry and hidden away. The engine stays warm for hours after you've parked. But! The real trouble starts when another marten has already been there. The newcomer picks up the other one's scent and starts chewing anything that smells of it, trying to mark its own territory. That's why, once a marten has attacked your car, there's a good chance another one will turn up. And cause even more damage.
What do martens chew under your bonnet?
- Engine wiring, including the cables for sensors and spark plugs.
- Coolant hoses and vacuum pipes.
- Driveshaft CV boots and steering rack gaiters.
- Bonnet insulation and soundproofing.
If a marten chews through a coolant hose, your engine could overheat in minutes. If you spot signs of a marten, check for leaks before anything else. Don't drive off until you're sure everything is OK.
How can you tell if a marten has been under your bonnet?
- You notice little paw prints on the bonnet or windscreen.
- The insulation has been chewed, and there are bits of plastic or leaves in the engine bay.
- The engine management light comes on or the glow plug light starts flashing for no obvious reason.
- You find a coolant leak in the morning, even though everything was fine the night before.
How can you prevent marten damage to your car?
You've probably heard about putting human hair, toilet freshener blocks or camphor under the bonnet. These little home remedies sometimes work, but not for long. If you want proper protection, fit an electronic marten deterrent. Ultrasonic devices produce a sound we can't hear, but martens can't stand. More advanced systems also have high-voltage contact plates. When a marten touches one, it gets a mild, harmless but unpleasant electric shock. It remembers the experience and avoids coming back. That's the whole idea.
What do we do if a marten has already damaged your car?
- First, we inspect all the wiring, hoses and rubber boots. We look for anything that's been chewed or damaged.
- We replace everything the marten has damaged.
- We wash the engine bay to remove its scent. If we leave that smell behind, it could attract the next marten.
- We fit a deterrent system so the same thing doesn't happen again.
A tip from Kris Mladenov: If you've already had a marten under your bonnet, don't wait for it to happen again. Get the engine bay cleaned and fit some protection. I'm telling you this because repairing a chewed wiring harness could cost you more than the deterrent itself.
I hope the only thing you ever find under your bonnet is your engine. If this article has helped you, share it with a friend who parks outside. You might save them a lot of headaches.
The solution in our shop
Audi high-voltage and ultrasonic marten deterrent
Audi high-voltage and ultrasonic marten deterrent. The most reliable option for protecting your car.
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Audi marten protection extension kit
Extension kit for marten protection with additional contact points.
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Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a marten has been under my bonnet?
Look for paw prints, chewed insulation and damaged hoses. If the engine management light suddenly comes on, the glow plug light starts flashing or you notice a coolant leak, have a look under the bonnet. Sometimes a marten leaves very obvious signs.
Do home remedies work against martens?
Sometimes, but usually not for long. If you want more reliable protection, fit an ultrasonic deterrent or a high-voltage system.
Why does a marten keep coming back to my car?
It picks up the scent of another marten and starts chewing things to mark its territory. That's why we wash the engine bay after a marten attack. Simply replacing the damaged parts isn't enough.