Testing body Thatcham has revealed a list of cars which bumpers they claim are costly to fix following a crash at 6mph.

Each vehicle was given a rating of either good, acceptable, marginal or poor and marked down if the bumper went under or over the test barrier.

Good means the cost was up to £349, acceptable £350 to £799, marginal £800 to £1,349 and poor £1,350 plus.

The results relate to cars tested last year with front and rear bumpers given separate scores, although the tests were also carried out in 2007.

All repair costs exclude VAT so international comparisons can be made.

The BMW 1-Series front bumper scored poor and the rear marginal while the Fiat 500 scored poor for the front and marginal at the back.

The Ford Mondeo was given poor at front and marginal at the rear.

However the Focus was rated better with the front deemed acceptable and rear marginal.

The Mercedes C-Class and Renault Laguna 3 both scored poor for all their bumpers.  

Thatcham hopes the tests will encourage manufacturers to fit deeper, wider more energy absorbant bumpers.