Car buyers who buy second-hand cars that have been badly maintained run the risk of having to pay out to have their purchases fixed. A new survey by the RAC reveals that car buyers of this type spend 238 million pounds every year.

According to the RAC, almost one in every three buyers fail to notice vehicle faults before parting with their cash. Apparently, of those who are forced to shell out on freshly-bought cars, 11 per cent part with over £400 for repairs, and 6 per cent part with over £800 for repairs.

Most motorists know virtually nothing about cars, and only 39 per cent of drivers bother to pay for a professional car examination. Nick Lindsay of the RAC said: It's easy to be persuaded into buying a bargain . Consumers must approach the business of buying a second-hand vehicle with caution to avoid disappointment.

The RAC also included a set of tips in their results, such as seeing the car in daylight, signs of mileage clocking, checking for rust and bald tyres, making sure that the keys work. The RAC recommend having the car checked by an expert, and finding out if the vehicle has any outstanding car finance .