Some makes of cars have bumpers so flimsy that even impacts of just 6mph would write the vehicle off, according to a research centre.

Thatcham said that this has the effect of bumping up accident and repair bills by over £2 billion each year in the UK.

The centre crash-tested ten popular makes and found that even very low speed impacts, which account for 85 per cent of all insurance claims, could cause expensive damage.

The only bumpers which came out with any credit and achieved a 'good' rating - repair costs of less than £350 - was achieved by the rear end of the Ford S-Max and the front of the Toyota Auris which were judged acceptable.

A spokesman for Thatcham said: "Some designs don't have a bumper beam at all - just a flimsy plastic covering that looks like a bumper."

In related news the government has launched the annual pre-festive anti drink-driving campaign.

If drivers take heed of its words of advice, their cars' bumpers may not have to be put to a real test on real roads.

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