According to the RAC, UK motorists who unwittingly buy poorly maintained second-hand cars are paying out €351 million a year to have their new purchases fixed.
The British motoring organisation said almost one in three buyers fail to spot faults before handing over their cash.
The research also found that in more than one in 10 cases of mechanical faults, drivers had to pay out up to €600 for repairs. A lack of mechanical knowledge was the main reason for buyers ending up with dodgy motors, with nearly half of the 1,000 people surveyed admitting they knew "little" or "very little" about cars.
Some 48 per cent of buyers spent less than 30 minutes carrying out checks on their potential purchases.
The RAC offered a few tips to avoid the pitfalls:
- View the vehicle in daylight
- Look for worn seats or very tired paintwork.
- Check for bodywork rust .
- Take a test drive.
- Check all the keys work.
- Ensure the engine/chassis numbers match registration.
- Get the car checked by an expert and check if there is any outstanding finance.