CAR buyers are being urged to do essential research before buying a used car.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards is issuing the warning after 84 per cent of used cars for sale assessed during eight days of action had issues with them.

There was also price discrepancies between online adverts and windscreen prices in 55 per cent of cases, with the biggest difference seen £2,000.

Other discrepancies included mileage, under declared numbers of previous keepers, inaccurately described service history, and the length of MOT remaining.

Engineers also found 15 per cent were unroadworthy, and some had been recorded as write-offs and had been badly repaired.

Matt Boxall, chair of Yorkshire and the Humber Trading Standards Group, said: “The high number of problems found on the days of action is unacceptable.

“Consumers should take some reassurance in knowing that the businesses visited were targeted because Trading Standards had received complaints about them.”

Recommended checks include test drives, asking questions about the vehicle and checking document, and checking the car’s MOT history and mileage on gov.uk, inspect the vehicle to check for damage or defective bodywork, and see if the garage is accredited by Trading Standards.

Michelle Bucknell, co-ordinator for the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Motor Trade Partnership Scheme, added: "Members of the West Yorkshire Motor Trade Partnership follow strict criteria and are audited by West Yorkshire Trading Standards to make sure that high standards are maintained.

"The scheme is dedicated to upholding high standards of customer service so that consumers can buy from our members with confidence."

A full list of members can be found at the West Yorkshire Joint Services website.