Car dealers are potentially putting thousands of UK drivers at risk by continually giving out poor advice, a new report claims.

A study from consumer group Which? revealed that just 25 per cent of dealers gave undercover researchers, posing as potential customers, a full set of satisfactory answers to three simple safety questions.

Many dealers were unaware of the benefits of 'active' head restraints, which help reduce whiplash. Some were also unclear about whether electronic stability control ESC came fitted as standard and what its purpose is. ESC can prevent drivers from losing control of their car.

Finally, dealers also gave inconsistent advice when asked about how transporting a six-month-old baby in the front-passenger seat.

"Car safety may be streets ahead of where it was ten years ago, but too many important safety features are optional. As many shoppers have a very limited knowledge of what safety kit they need, getting good advice from a dealer is crucial," Malcolm Coles, editor at which.co.uk, commented.

"Our research shows it's a lottery as to whether customers get the right information and that simply isn’t good enough. Dealerships must take more responsibility to ensure that their staff are trained to give proper advice."

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