Buying faulty second-hand cars could lead to "fatal, road traffic collisions," Hertfordshire Police has warned.

During an undercover investigation, Trading Standards officers posed as consumers and bought four second hand cars.

When vehicle examiners tested the cars, they deemed one of them completely unroadworthy and the others had minor faults.

The Road Traffic Act 1988 highlights that it is an offence to sell vehicles for use on the road that are in an unroadworthy condition.

Car dealers could be fined up to £2,500 and serve up to three months imprisonment.

Guy Pratt, from Hertfordshire County Council, said: "If we can prevent just one accident by urging drivers to get cars checked before they buy, it will have been worth it."

The police have also warned that having a current MOT certificate is not enough to show that a vehicle is safe enough to drive.