The crooks respond to...
The crooks respond to classified ads in the specialist press, and pay for vehicles with high-quality forged bankers" draft cheques. By the time the forgery is spotted - usually days later - the seller has handed over the keys and paperwork. The car is either exported or quickly sold on again.
We compared the cost...
We compared the cost of rubber on both the entry-level and top-of-the-range versions of the UK"s most popular models with that of the previous generations.
The biggest increase was on the top-spec Renault Mégane. A new tyre for the flagship version of the MkII is ÷£76 more than for the MkI - a rise of 144 per cent!
The average hike for range-topping models worked out to 39 per cent, compared with 15 per cent for the standard versions. The reason for the rising cost is threefold, according to industry body Tyre Safe. "People want cars which are faster, handle better and look nicer," a spokesman said.
"As a result, tyres have become wider, larger in diameter and rated for higher speeds." The cost of making rubber has actually fallen over the years, but this has been offset by the fact that tyres are now bigger.