MRS M W Weatherall's letter (April 14) headed Take Care Buying a Car Privately raises important issues. Many believe that a current MoT certificate provides protection as to a vehicle's mechanical safety and reliability. However, an certificate has its limitations.

For example, a tax disc can be obtained from a post office on the first day of the month, for six months or the year, when the MoT runs out on the second day of the month, or shortly thereafter, after the tax disc is purchased.

There is nothing presently shown on the tax disc to indicate when the MoT expires. It would be helpful if the DVLA could require motorists to have at least six months' life on the MoT certificate when renewing the tax disc.

Mrs Weatherall's problem is obtaining some recompense, this could be remedied by requiring all used vehicles, of a certain age, to be checked on computer testing facilities by the manufacturer's local dealer.

As with the MoT tests, vehicles having had the manufacturer's dealers test certificates would provide buyers of used vehicles the opportunity of evaluating probable future repair expenses.

Moreover, if such a scheme would be supervised by Trading Standards departments, it should then be possible for aggrieved buyers to obtain compensation.

R ANGEL, Southapton.