Gv's of County Hall, home to Norfolk County Council. Taken June 2011.

Consumer watchdogs are set to visit more than 40 second-hand car dealers in Norfolk after complaints from members of the public about vehicles they had bought.

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Norfolk County Council trading standards officers say “consumer feedback” has sparked the visits over the coming weeks.

Officers are keen to talk to traders about the consumer laws which govern the selling of second-hand cars, while also talking about consumer expectations and what traders should not be expected to have to do when selling a vehicle.

The trading standards department receives hundreds of calls from people each year about second-hand car buying. They say many of the calls are about cars which people consider to have been sold with faults, or in an unroadworthy condition, while many relate to the expectations of some consumers when buying a low-cost second-hand car.

Officers will particularly be visiting traders in areas of the county which see higher levels of deprivation –where people may find their finances more limited.

Ann Jackson, senior Norfolk County Council trading standards officer, said: “Second-hand car buying results in more consumer calls to trading standards than many other subjects.

“Consumers should rightly expect the vehicle to be safe. But equally they should be mindful that when paying a matter of hundreds of pounds for a vehicle, it is likely to have more wear and tear than a new car and issues may arise more quickly.

“We have many fantastic car dealers in this county and we hope traders will find our guidance helpful.”

Your Guide to Buying a Second-hand Car is available by visiting www.norfolk.gov.uk and typing “consumer advice leaflets” into the search engine.