Motorists may need to consider more than the condition of various car parts when buying a second-hand auto, if the comments of one industry group are anything to go by.

According to vehicle information company HPI, if drivers are not careful they could end up purchasing a stolen set of wheels.

The firm urged people to take advantage of the service it offers, which includes thorough research into the background of a second-hand auto.

Director Daniel Burgess stated: "The HPI check has a reputation built over 70 years of helping consumers and dealers protect themselves from used car criminals."

The group issued this statement as it revealed it was launching its first ever TV advertising campaign.

Broadcasts outlining the business’s services are currently being shown on Bravo, UK Living and Dave.

Meanwhile, HPI recently claimed motorists and dealers buying used cars are facing a growing risk of being targeted by fraudsters trying to off-load cloned vehicles.

A woman in America may well end up searching for a company that sells Toyota car parts this week, following an unusual incident with a fish.

Leighann Niles was on the road in north-west Ohio when an eagle dropped its dinner onto her vehicle causing the windscreen to break.

The freshwater fish in question – known as a sheepshead – fell from some 40 feet up in the air.

Commenting on the impact of the catch hitting her Toyota, Ms Niles said it felt as if a brick had been thrown at the windscreen.

This was not the only animal-related incident she encountered during her trip either.

Earlier in the journey, a truck had struck a small bird, which then rebounded into Ms Niles’ rear passenger door – startling her young daughter.

Meanwhile, motorists who suddenly find they require replacement car parts after an unexpected incident on the road may discover some of the best deals are available online.

Some new Infiniti car parts should make the company’s all-new M model more powerful than ever, it has been claimed.

The manufacturer explained the 2011 version of the auto will come with V8 and V6 engines.

It also revealed the car is to be sold worldwide, including throughout western Europe.

According to the group, the latest engine range will be more efficient, as well as offering increased power.

In addition to the new internal car parts, the vehicle features "authentic sports saloon proportions and evocative new styling with a low front end and deeply sculpted wings inspired by the Infiniti Essence concept ", the manufacturer claimed.

The auto was unveiled over the weekend at the 59th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California.

It is due to start arriving in showrooms around the world during spring next year.

Earlier this month, the Japanese manufacturer announced it had launched the company’s first global website.

The use of quality Bentley car parts may have helped to create a vehicle that sets new standards in the automotive industry, if the comments of the manufacturer are anything to go by.

According to the group, its latest Mulsanne model is intended to sit at "the pinnacle of British luxury motoring".

It stated the company set its engineers the task of building a car that offers the ultimate driving experience.

Commenting on the efforts of his design team, chairman and chief executive Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen stated: "They have responded to this challenge with real passion and the result is a luxury grand tourer that sets new standards in terms of comfort, effortless performance and hand-crafted refinement."

The vehicle was unveiled over the weekend at the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California.

It is due to go on sale next year.

Meanwhile, the fastest Bentley ever – the Continental Supersports – is expected to arrive in showrooms this autumn.

Motorists who keep costs down by buying cheap car spares online may find another tool on the internet proves useful in helping them save money.

Honda has introduced a calculator onto its website, which allows drivers to compare the whole-life costs of the group’s autos against those of rival models.

Users are shown how much they will be looking at spending over three years or 60,000 miles.

The data is provided by an independent source and takes into account a range of outgoings from vehicle excise duty to insurance.

Honda said the tool is designed for use by individual motorists and businesses.

Tom Gardner, head of marketing, commented: "We want to support retail and corporate customers by helping them make an informed purchase decision based on the issues that are relevant to them."

Meanwhile, people who drive an Accord may have been impressed by the reliability of Honda car parts, as the model was recently named as the most dependable auto in the UK by a Which? poll.

Motorists who replace car parts as soon as they become worn to ensure CO2 emissions are kept to a minimum may find a model from Toyota could boost their green credentials further.

The latest Prius is now on the market and one eco-friendly private hire firm in London has voiced praise for the vehicle.

According to greentomatocars, it has been impressed with the model and is keen to integrate the auto into its fleet.

Chief executive officer Tom Pakenham said: "We are delighted to offer all our customers the opportunity to be the first Londoners to experience the comfort, performance and unparalleled environmental benefits offered by the new Prius."

The vehicle can achieve 72.4 mpg and boasts CO2 emissions of 89 g/km.

Meanwhile, motorists who cannot afford a brand new car may find replacing engine car parts in their current auto could improve its efficiency and keep it running smoothly for many years to come.

People who tend to opt for older motors and work on them with car spares bought online may be well advised to do a little research before choosing their next vehicle, if the comments of one magazine are anything to go by.

Used Car Expert has advised drivers there are some competitive deals available on second-hand 4×4s at the moment, but it pays to compare the market.

It explained older Vauxhall Fronteras are not well-thought of generally.

However, the publication pointed out this has not resulted in the vehicle depreciating in value more quickly than all of its rivals.

It suggested people are buying second-hand editions of the model because they simply assume they are getting a good deal as a result of the 4×4’s poor reputation.

The magazine stated a bit of research would show there are better deals to be had, such as on a five-year-old Volvo XC90.

Meanwhile, motorists may find they can snap up a used 4×4 that needs a bit of work at a bargain price and then bring it up to scratch using cheap car spares bought online.

Some new BMW car parts in the manufacturer’s coupe range may appeal to drivers keen to improve their green credentials.

The group has announced it is introducing two additional engines to the line up next month.

Buyers will find the 120i version of the model offers fuel economy of 42.8 mpg and carbon dioxide emissions of 153 g/km.

Meanwhile, the 118d coupe is capable of 62.8 mpg and releases 119 g/km of CO2.

BMW claimed the two new engines should mean the auto attracts even more customers.

Prices for the 120i range between £21,115 to £23,990, while the 118d will cost buyers a minimum of £20,500 and a maximum of £23,375.

Both vehicles are due to arrive in showrooms up and down the UK from September 1st.

Meanwhile, people who already own one of the manufacturer’s models may find BMW car parts bought online can help keep it in peak condition.

Motoring enthusiasts heading to this year’s Rallyday should get the opportunity to examine some historic car parts up close and personal, if comments from the organisers are anything to go by.

It has been announced there will be a display at the event where visitors will be able to look at some of the most iconic autos ever seen on the track.

The gathering is due to take place at Castle Combe Circuit on September 19th and is set to feature some special guests, alongside the championship-winning vehicles.

Former British rally ace Alister McRae – who now lives in Australia – will be one of the stars at the event.

Alister will take to the track in a Mitsubishi WRC05, as well as the new Lancer EvoX Group N auto from the same manufacturer.

In other racing news, Formula One champ Michael Schumacher has decided to ditch plans for a comeback after receiving medical advice.

A former Formula One ace is to get the opportunity to test some Honda car parts to their limit in the coming months.

Johnny Herbert has signed a contract to get behind the wheel of the Civic Type R for the last three stages of the British Touring Car Championship.

The racing great has already tried out his vehicle, when he took to the track during summer testing at Rockingham.

"I’m really excited to be racing in the Civic. It’s very different to what I was used to in Formula One but no less of an adrenaline rush," he stated.

Herbert added he was looking forward to his first race at Silverstone.

Johnny is taking the place of James Thompson, who cannot complete the season due to prior commitments.

Meanwhile, motorists with their own road car from the manufacturer may find they can improve its performance using Honda car spares bought online.