THE soaring trade in dodgy and dangerous second-hand cars could be consigned to history, as long as buyers heed vital messages contained in a new guide.

The Trading Standards Institute has joined forces with vehicle information specialists HPI to produce The Car Buyers' Guide, designed to thwart rogue traders and individuals.

The guide aims to give responsible buyers the know-how to carry out basic checks on a vehicle's history, servicing records and suitability before handing over any money.

According to statistics from the Office of Fair Trading, last year alone the number of complaints about second hand cars topped 62,000, and car-buying regularly features in the top two concerns of consumers in surveys.

Peter Stratton, TSI lead officer on the motor trade, said: "There is a growing trade in cars sold through small ads, on the side of the road and, increasingly, through the Internet.

"The huge range of outlets is difficult to police, so it is imperative that buyers take responsibility for carrying out checks before they buy. Some of the vehicles changing hands are not just dodgy, they are downright dangerous.

"We will do all we can to act against unscrupulous traders and individuals but it is up to vehicle buyers to heed our advice at the point of purchase. Getting compensation afterwards is difficult; the time to act is before money changes hands."

One of the key messages to buyers is to get a HPI Check carried out on any vehicle considered for purchase. One in three HPI Checks highlight an issue that requires further investigation or explanation.