Individuals purchasing vehicles from private sellers have been warned of the dangers of unsuspectingly buying an insurance write-off.

According to vehicle information provider HPI, up to 625 cars a day are being revealed as an insurance write-off and this poses a considerable risk to the safety of motorists up and down the country.

There are four categories of write-offs for vehicles involved in accidents on the UK's roads, with A and B cases meaning these vehicles are either useful only as scrap or for parts.

It is not illegal for C and D category cars to be repaired and returned to the road, but in many cases this fact is being hidden from buyers.

Daniel Burgess, managing director for HPI, commented: "It's all too easy to be taken in by shiny paintwork and a low price, but it could be hiding a multitude of faults that haven't been fixed."

He added criminals continue to capitalise on the shortage of used cars across the UK, meaning unwary buyers are increasingly being stung by disguised write-offs when making purchases.

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Posted by Clare Lafferty, Account Manager, The Fuelcard People.