Drivers have been warned about ‘cowboy traders’ selling rogue cars from the roadside.

Bradford Safer Communities Partnership, which includes West Yorkshire Police, has urged drivers not to give in to temptation and buy a cheap roadside motor to save money during the credit crunch.

Last year officers in Bradford were forced to start a crackdown on the traders selling untaxed and often unroadworthy cars from the side of main routes such as Leeds Road and Harrogate Road.

While the problem has not returned on the scale seen last year, officers fear people may shell out for cheaper cars as the economy struggles.

PC Vaughan Evans, of Bradford Safer Communities Partnership, said: “With the current economic climate there may be a temptation for drivers to buy cheap, relatively-elderly cars from private sellers on main roads.

“While these cars may look like a bargain often they can be unroadworthy vehicles bought from auction by cowboy traders who quickly polish them up before selling them on.

“I would advise all drivers to avoid these kind of cars.”

He said the problem had declined in Bradford since they acted to tackle these traders last year but people needed to remain vigilant.

He said: “We haven’t got a practical problem in Bradford at the moment but these cars do crop up from time to time and it is something we need to be aware of to prevent it returning.”

Drivers have been advised to be wary of old 1990s model cars in particular being sold from main roads, often with just a mobile number as a contact point and little in the way of documentation.

Anybody buying a car from a private seller should see the vehicle at the seller’s home address and make sure it comes with documentary evidence and road tax unless otherwise stated.

Councillor Martin Smith, chairman of the Bradford Safer Communities Partnership, said: “With the help of our partners we will take strong action to stop cheap and possibly unroadworthy cars being on our roads.

“If they are found, the cars will be crushed and the owners could be prosecuted.”

Last year police and partners, including Bradford Council, carried out a purge on cowboy traders by placing warning stickers on cars up for sale on major roads and warning those selling them.

Authorities also wrote to garage owners warning them they could face £70 fines under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act if they sold cars from the pavement.