Vauxhall has armed its Network Q retailers with a powerful sales tool to help customers in the fight against car crime. It has teamed up with SmartWater to mark Network Q cars with a 'DNA-type' code for a £94 fee.

SmartWater paints a liquid containing a unique 'forensic fingerprint' onto the components of the car. Each brush stroke contains millions of particles that are encoded with the car's identity.

##Corsa DNA--left## Martin Brown, Network Q brand manager, said the venture would be a “major contribution in the fight against car crime”. He added: “It will provide our customers with reduced insurance premiums as well as extra peace of mind.” Insurers, like Vauxhall Insurance and Norwich Union, are offering discounts of up to 50% on cars marked with the code.

Police identify the cars by using an ultra-violet light to locate the marked parts. West Midlands police report a 30% reduction in theft on an estate in West Bromwich where SmartWater was used.

SmartWater is also in talks with manufacturers about using the process on new cars.

Network Q, 10 years old last month, has launch the Corsa iQ, to be sold online via the www.network-q.co.uk website. The nearly new cars, largely V-plates sourced through a buy-back scheme with the British School of Motoring, will be delivered through the dealer network.

The 1-litre models, costing £5,995, are expected to appeal to younger customers, particularly first-time buyers.