Buyers of used cars should take increased precautions when making a purchase as some sellers are selling vehicles that are not roadworthy, the Mirror reported.
The newspaper argued that the legislation currently in place is doing little to address the issue of low quality automobiles being sold in the second hand market.
'The legislation to protect customers isn't tough enough. A £500 fine for selling a potential deathtrap is a joke,' wrote former Top Gear presenter and motoring columnist Quentin Wilson.
Mr Wilson recommended the enforced licensing of all car dealers and for mandatory information sheets advising potential buyers what a car's history was.
He further advised the introduction of special pre-sale safety checks on any car being sold that was over ten years old.
British Car Auctions (BCA) said on Monday that sales of used cars remained steady this summer, with prices on average remaining steady from last year despite the relative weakness of the retail sector.
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