MOTORISTS are becoming more aware of the need to have second-hand car purchases thoroughly checked.

According to the RAC, buyers are heeding the warnings of other drivers who had bought rogue used cars.

In the last 12 months, the RAC has conducted more than 350,000 use car inspections on behalf of prospective buyers.

Tony Noakes, head of the RAC's Inspection Services said: "We've gone over vehicles with the technical equivalent of a fine tooth comb to check for bumps, re-paints and body fills and, along the way, we've come up with some real surprises."

Eye-openers included a Porsche revealed to be a "cut and shut", a car that turned out to be "parked" in a tree, and turning up to inspect an Escort RS Turbo but instead, finding a "ringer" with dubious parentage.

Mr Noakes said: "The issue is not just one of getting your money's worth, but in making sure that the vehicle is safe to drive.

"The car may look immaculate on the outside but could hide a whole host of problems - problems that could potentially be life threatening."