Mechanic Dave Spicknall got more than he bargained for when he went to perform a routine service on a car – out popped a ginger moggy.

The tabby cat, which was covered in oil but otherwise unscathed, had been nestling in a tiny cavity underneath the engine cover of the Renault Megane.

The ginger tom, who has been called Miles by staff at Anwells Veterinary Surgery in Brighton Road, Coulsdon, where he is being cared for, had climbed inside the car and hidden there.

He was then taken on a mini adventure travelling from owner David McGleenon’s home in Ryelands Close, Caterham, into Croydon and on to Coulsdon where he had booked his car in for a service at Renualt Croydon’s garage in Brighton Road.

Miles was discovered when Dave Spicknall removed the engine cover of the car.

He said: “When I removed the cover underneath the engine, out dropped the cat. He ran off and hid under a bench and we eventually managed to coax him out.

“He was very scared. We were all really surprised, especially me. We’ve never had anything like this happen before and it’s the last thing you’d expect when you open up an engine.” The neutered tom was taken to Anwells where he was cleaned and given a quick check up.

Staff are now trying to trace the owner of the ginger tabby who is believed to be between eight and 10 years old.

Veterinary nurse Julie Collins said: “He’s obviously someone’s pet but we’ve not found a chip or collar so we can’t yet trace his owner.” The car’s owner, David McGleenon, an emergency medical technician with London Ambulance Service, thinks Miles might have crawled into the car on Wednesday, March 30 – the night before it was due to be serviced.

David said: “I’ve had the car two years and it was its first service, so Miles was very lucky to have chosen that time to climb into the car.” Is Miles your cat? Call the newsdesk on 020 8774 6589.