The problem has come to light as private importers continue to flood the market with over 50,000 imports a year, mostly used cars from the UK.

A case in the west of Ireland involved a BMW which was registered in the UK in 2004 and sold on to a person here who bought it believing that it was registered here for the first time in 2006. The problem for the new owner only came to light when the car was taken to a main dealer who had to impart the unhappy news that the car was out of warranty. The mileage had been clocked to conceal the fraud.

The number of cases involving this type of fraud are believed to be small but the motor industry through the SIMI is taking up the issue of imports with the Revenue Commissioners because it is believed there is a lot of abuse in the private import trade.

A worrying aspect is the number of prestige German models that have been sold where the age is suspect.

There is also a scam in relation to some BMW X-5, Range Rover and other such large SUVs which when imported as commercial vehicles attract only 50 VRT because they exceed a certain weight limit. But these vehicles can be easily registered as passenger vehicles and sold on with seats installed.

Buyers who may not be aware of the background to such vehicles face the prospect of paying up the difference in duty . . . it could be 20,000- 30,000 and also face the prospect of a 160,000 fine and up to five years in jail.

There is also the fear that the seats and seatbelts may not be properly fitted as floors and anchorage points for the seat belts have to be permanently sealed in commercial vehicles.

The SIMI is critical of the Revenue Commissioners for not going to greater lengths to get the DNA of each car imported as the government is losing revenue when importers do not declare the full specification on the models.

A leading figure in the motor industry has urged the Revenue Commissioners to look for the COC (Certificate of Comformity). This is like a car passport, it carries all the car's DNA and should be checked by the Revenue Commissioners as well as giving imports a visual inspection.

Industry sources also point out that the car's history is stored in the key and can be obtained by a key reader.

Chief Executive of the SIMI, Cyril McHugh, says that the motor industry want the Revenue Commissioners to check the background and specification of privately imported cars more carefully. The SIMI is anxious to heighten awareness among buyers of private import vehicles that checks need to be made to satisfy themselves.