The police are warning motorists they will be conducting vehicle checks as the dark nights draw in.

Last year officers stopped 220 cars across seven locations in the island and 122 were found to have defects.

Ahead of the clocks going back on October 27, officers have said they will be out on the island’s roads again with partners from the Vehicle Testing Centre and Customs.

Officers behind the snappily named winter vehicle check operation said of last year’s figures: ’This is a ridiculously high number, we are urging the public to ensure they check their vehicles for their road worthiness, failing to do so my result in penalty points and a fine being issued at the road side/ vehicle seized or/and a prosecution.’