Female drivers are among the motorists being warned over the potential problems that could be caused from driving a so-called city car.

The Motor Insurance Repair Centre, better known as Thatcham, has said that following recent tests relating to seat and head restraint safety, no city cars were awarded a good rating.

According to the organisation, drivers of such cars, which could include female motorists looking for an economical motor with lower emissions, are more likely to suffer whiplash injuries when involved in a low-speed rear-end collision.

"City cars are not equipped to protect their occupants' necks when they have to absorb the crash energy from larger, heavier vehicles which, combined with poor seat design, makes whiplash far more likely," said research manager - crash at Thatcham, Matthew Avery.

He added that while across all makes and models of cars, three-quarters receive an acceptable or good rating, "more can certainly still be done" to improve seat and head restraint safety.

Last year, the company noted that repair costs for British drivers had increased by more than £2 billion a year due to the failing of bumpers on certain car models.

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