Around 32 per cent of...

Around 32 per cent of all vehicles written off each year are deemed too dangerous to return to the roads by insurance companies

The festive period already seems like an age ago, but its poor weather is expected to prompt an increase in the number of repaired vehicle write-offs on sale, according to data firm Experian. Every year, around 19 per cent of all write-offs occur during November and December – but that figure looks set to be swollen by the bad driving conditions in the lead-up to Christmas. As a result, the company has warned motorists looking for their next car to be extra vigilant for models which have been badly repaired by fraudsters.

A spokesman for Experian said: “Around 32 per cent of all vehicles written off each year are deemed too dangerous to return to the roads by insurance companies.

“But many of them still manage to rise from the dead and make their way back into circulation, conning innocent buyers and put?ting lives at risk.” A history check will reveal if a car has ever been classified as an insurance write-off. However, less severe accident damage may be overlooked if the vehicle was not subject to an insurance claim. So, a professional vehicle inspection is the best way to safeguard a potential purchase – espec?ially if you’re buying privately.

Meanwhile, one-in-seven cars on dealer forecourts in County Durham was found to be unroadworthy by a joint initiative carried out by trading standards officials and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.