USED car buyers can now get an extra £20,000 worth of peace of mind, with the launch of the AA's new 'premium' car check.

While the average figure spent on a used car in the UK is £4,014, the standard check has a limit of £10,000.

Now the 'premium' check extends this to cover vehicles worth up to £30,000.

The intention is that if the information provided proves to be inaccurate you should get the purchase money back, though because it's basically an insurance policy there may be one or two quibbles.

The check reveals whether the car has been stolen, has outstanding finance, or has ever been written off.

It will also show the number of keepers, colour changes, number plate changes and in some cases mileage information.

The AA says the service has already saved would-be buyers £2.5 million on cars which had been stolen. It has also warned 15,000 motorists that a used car has been an insurance write-off, and 43,000 enquiries showed that a car had outstanding finance.

The Premium check costs from £44.99 that's £10 more than the standard check.