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A data analysis firm says vehicles damaged in relatively minor shunts are more likely to be declared as written off than ever before.
CAP says insurers are writing vehicles off faster because of more advanced technology in vehicles and a quicker rate of depreciation.
The report is likely to be of interest to car owners including people who have used a car loan or Car Finance to purchase their current vehicle.
CAP operational development manager Mark Norman said: 'Insurers are caught in a pincer movement between lower residual values and the cost of replacing the sophisticated safety and comfort features of modern cars.'
CAP findings show air conditioning and air bag systems are among technology that can be damaged in a smash and be uneconomical to put right.
Mr Norman added although modern cars, potentially owned by car loan customers, are generally superior to earlier models they are worth 'significantly less' in real terms to equivalent vehicles from ten years ago.
He was speaking at the 2008 Refinish Industry Survey Conference organised by Bodyshop Magazine.
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