TWO-THIRDS of official complaints about cars in North Yorkshire last year related to dealers from outside the county, new figures have revealed.

Consumer complaints in relation to cars is one of the highest categories received by the county's trading standards team, with almost 1,400 last year.

Second-hand cars caused the most complaints, totalling 52 per cent.

However, 19 per cent related to new cars, and 22 per cent were about poor servicing and repairs.

Unfair selling techniques were also a source of concern, totalling 24 per cent of car-related complaints received by the team.

Stuart Pudney, the head of the county's trading standards department, said: "The surprising fact which has come out of this analysis is the extremely high level of complaints we receive from North Yorkshire residents about garages outside the county.

"The message which appears to be clear from this statistic is that you are likely to have fewer problems if you buy from dealers within North Yorkshire.

"Bargains, which may appear to be attractive at first sight, can turn into nightmares for consumers if things go wrong and the garage concerned does not deal with the complaint appropriately."

A guide outlining the steps which prospective car-buyers should follow is available by contacting the trading standards department on (01609) 780780.