The economic downturn has seen a dramatic fall in the prices of used cars, tempting some motorists who spot a bargain to snap it up quickly. However HPI, the used car information expert, is warning buyers not to rush into the purchase – as you could end up buying a dangerous vehicle.

A cut ‘n’ shut is two crashed or written-off vehicles of the same make and model which have been illegally welded or stitched together to form what appears to be a complete car.  They are fundamentally dangerous because the integrity of the structure has been interfered with, significantly weakening its ability to withstand impact.  In some instances, cut ‘n’ shuts have been known to actually break into two when involved in an accident.

So, what can you do to protect yourself?

• Always view the car in daylight. Viewing in poor light, rain or at night can make it harder to spot any flaws.
  
• Look for mismatches panels, doors, bonnet and any other joins.
  
• Look for any traces of spray paint on the door handles and glass.
  
• Look at the supporting pillars and doorframes for any signs of welding. Pulling back the car upholstery in these areas may reveal welding joints or differences in paint colour.
  
• Make sure you check for mismatched or badly fitted upholstery.
  
• Check the MOT and past service history. Make sure it is consecutive and there are no gaps.
  
• Take the car for a test drive for at least 10 -15 minutes along a variety of roads.
  
• Check the VIN number on the paperwork against the VIN numbers on the car – these will be stamped in the engine bay, in the driver foot well/door, and in the boot. The more VINs you can locate and check, the more confident you can be of the car's legitimacy.
  
• Always try to find the VIN in three places, particularly at either end of the vehicle. If you aren't sure where to find them, your local franchised dealer can help you.
  
• Don’t pay less than 70% of the market value for a car.  Cars offered for less than they should be for ‘a quick sale' often have something sinister to hide
  
• Finally, to be 100% confident, get an HPI Check (which will let you know if the vehicle has been written-off in the past and to what degree) and/or an independent vehicle inspection from a reputable company such as the AA or RAC.

In the last ten years, the number of vehicles that have been written-off by an insurance company has risen by 86% to 790,000, and this figure is likely to have been be exacerbated in the last 12 months with plummeting used car values making vehicle repair even less cost-effective for insurers.  This means criminals have a larger pool of vehicles than ever before from which to create potentially deadly cut ‘n' shuts.

Nick Lindsay, a Director of HPI, comments:  “Any cut ‘n’ shut vehicle is bad news for motorists.  It may sound unbelievable, but many cut ‘n’ shuts created by skilled welders and mechanics would not be detected by most car buyers.  As well as not being suitable for the road and potentially lethal in a collision, cut ‘n’ shut vehicles could leave buyers out of pocket in the long run as it will be deemed worthless when they come to sell it.”