When buying a second hand car, it is increasingly important that you understand your
consumer rights before making the purchase. Although each consumer is protected by The Sale of Goods Act which lists a number of statutory rights, a recent BBC study released in March 2010 shows that dealers of second hand vehicles are often still in breach.
BBC reported that one in five people buying a second hand car from a dealer experience a problem. Despite statutory rights which call for a refund, repair or replacement, if at the time of sale, the vehicle was defective, 30% of buyers did not have their problem resolved by the seller. Rather, they spent an average of £425 to get the defective issue rectified.
Knowing your rights as a consumer is a very effective way of enforcing them. If, however, you are still having difficulty with enforcement, then you may need to one of our solicitors who specialises in consumer law.
Some of your consumer rights include:
- The seller must prove full ownership rights to the car so as to pass it on to you. If this is not the case, the legal ownership will not pass to you even when you have paid for the vehicle. Therefore, look for a dealer with a good reputation, and perhaps one that is registered with the Retail Motor Industry Federation.
- Regardless of any warranties or guarantees given to you by a dealer, under the Act, you are always entitled to a vehicle “of satisfactory quality,” “as described to you” and “fit for any normal purpose.” This means that if sold to you by a dealer, the car be exactly as described, so for example, if it is stated that there are power windows, then the power windows must not only exist, but they must also be in good working condition.
- If after you take the car, if becomes apparent that the car is not of the quality that you were led to expect, go back to show the dealer right away and ask them to remedy it. Remember; however, if you carried out an inspection prior to the sale, and that inspection should have revealed the defect at the time, you have no legal grounds or consumer rights to rely on after purchase.
- If the car is faulty and it is bought from a dealership, you have up to six months in which to reject the car. Depending on the circumstances, it is reasonable to demand repair, price reduction or replacement.
For more specific information on you rights as a consumer ask a solicitor near you today.
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