One in seven drivers have admitted to selling cars with known issues to avoid repair costs, putting millions of motorists at risk on UK roads.
The alarming findings suggested that as many as 7.5 million drivers across the UK have sold second-hand vehicles that were masking fundamental flaws.
It comes as research found that nearly a third of Britons (31 per cent) confessed that they would consider selling a car with known issues in future.
The survey revealed the most common faults that sellers knowingly passed on to unsuspecting buyers, which risk failing MOT inspections.
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More than 30 per cent of drivers would sell a vehicle with a known defect
GETTY
Weak or dying batteries, along with engine problems, including misfiring, knocking, or oil leaks, were named the top issues that drivers fail to disclose to buyers, with each accounting for 19 per cent of cases.
Broken air conditioning was also among the most frequent hidden problems, with 16 per cent of drivers surveyed admitting to not sharing this issue.
In contrast, 42 per cent of Britons reported having purchased a second-hand car that later revealed hidden issues. Despite 82 per cent of motorists saying vehicle history access is important, many fail to follow through with proper checks.
Millennials emerged as the worst culprits for dodgy sales, with a third (33 per cent) of drivers aged between 25 and 34 admitting to selling their cars with issues.
Meanwhile, nearly half (49 per cent) of this age group confirmed they would consider doing so in the future. The findings also highlighted a concerning generational divide in attitudes toward transparency in second-hand car sales.
This contrasts sharply with older generations, as just 16 per cent of drivers over 55 would even entertain the idea of selling a vehicle with known problems.
The survey found 19 per cent of drivers admitted to not taking any steps to check a vehicle's history before purchase, while a further five per cent said they didn't know they needed to conduct any checks at all.
Among the 81 per cent who did take precautions, half requested full service and MOT records, while only a third used a car history check service.
When it comes to trust, the report found that dealerships remain the top choice for Britons, with one in two saying they trust them the most when purchasing a vehicle.
However, only 12 per cent of drivers trying to sell their vehicle would look at online reviews, while only 10 per cent trust private sellers.
Aidan Rushby, founder and CEO of Carmoola, said: "It's worrying to see just how many people are willing to pass on a car with known issues, and how many buyers are left to foot the repair bill as a consequence.
"Our survey also found that nearly half of drivers admit they don't feel confident spotting faults. So it's clear there's a serious gap in consumer knowledge when it comes to car buying."
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Millennial drivers were found to be more likely to not disclose car faults when selling to buyers
GETTYHe stated that access to transparent vehicle history is key to helping consumers make safer decisions. "When looking for a car, we suggest going with a reputable dealership rather than a private sale as this offers more buyer protection," Rushby advised.
