But despite carrying out all the usual checks, he was baffled why power could not be restored to the vehicle’s engine.
It was only when Mr Smith dismantled the air intake system that he discovered the root of the problem – hundreds of acorns that had been hoarded there by a squirrel.
The car had been parked under an oak tree at Micheldever, Hampshire.
Mr Smith said: ‘The motorist said he couldn’t get the car started but there was no obvious fault.
‘Eventually I wondered whether the air pipe was blocked and when I started to dismantle it, I found the pipe and airbox were rammed with acorns. The squirrel obviously thought it made the perfect secret stash.’
cover story: News