A 12-year old car has been found dead at the scene of an engine failure in Worcestershire, today.

The RAC were called to a motorway hard shoulder on the M5 northbound, Droitwich today by a distraught 19-year old male claiming to be the car’s owner.

The car, who has been identified only as Rita, was found to have suffered major overheating, possibly as a result of a malfunctioning head gasket - a disease which has taken the lives of almost one million Rover 200s of a similar age.

Initial findings from an investigation into the cause of the malfunction suggested it could have been triggered by a leaking water pump.

An RAC Roadside Recovery spokesperson said: “Yeah, it’s knackered mate.

“Car’s got, like, water pourin’ aaeet the bottom ‘ere. ‘S probably gonna mean yer ‘ead gasket’s gone.”

The 19-year old witness also commented: “Can’t believe it. She had a decent life but still could have offered so much more. I’m in pieces.”

A post-mortem is expected to be carried out tomorrow, to ascertain the cause of death, and guests have been invited to pay their respects at a service on Thursday.