Car fraud cost £13m in 2011

The level of fraudulent car sales in the UK last year has been shown to be in excess of £13 million, with motorists advised of the dangers of buying second-hand vehicles.

Coinciding with Car Crime Awareness Week in the UK, individuals considering the purchase of a new vehicle have been warned of the growing danger of fraudulent behaviour in the used car sector by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA).

According to the organisation, 40 per cent of all vehicle fraud cases are classed as 'conversion fraud', where a motorist will sell a car they do not own.

This often entails a person selling a vehicle they have bought on finance and pocketing the cash, when in actual fact the financing company is still the owner of the vehicle.

As a result, Paul Harrison, the FLA's head of motor finance, advised anyone considering a second-hand car purchase to do their homework on the vehicle before going ahead with a deal.

He said: "Checks are available for a fraction of the total cost of a car and provide reassurance that the car is what the seller says it is."

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