Advice to consumers - Buying a used car
Information and advice about buying a second hand car.
Advice and support for consumers in Solihull is now provided by Consumer Direct.
Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, which is supported by local authorities in The West Midlands and by Government.
Consumer Direct works in partnership with Local Authority Trading Standards Advice Services offering first level advice and information on a wide range of consumer issues. More complex problems, or complaints requiring further investigation or assistance are referred to Trading Standards or other advice services
To speak to a Consumer Direct adviser, please call 08454 04 05 06. Opening hours are 8.00 a.m. and 6.30p.m. Monday - Friday or 9.00a.m. to 1p.m. on Saturdays. (Minicom users should call on 08451 28 13 84). To e-mail Consumer Direct, please Contact us via the Consumer Direct website.
A wide range of consumer information and advice is also available online from the Consumer Direct website at http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/
Responding to an advert
If you respond to an advertisement, keep the original. If you speak on the phone, make a note of whom you spoke to and make notes of what was discussed in the conversation. When you order the car, make sure that the order form includes everything that has been discussed including extras. Keep a copy of the order form. If the dealer is providing credit, check the credit agreement is complete and accurate before you sign it. The law requires that you are given a copy of the credit agreement.
Documents and VIN numbers
Check the documents that the seller has in his possession. Check that the registration number and VIN number (vehicle identification number) shown on the registration document and MOT certificate are the same as on the vehicle.
The VIN number is shown on a metal plate or adhesive sticker fixed to the vehicle. The plate or sticker is often under the bonnet, but may be on a door pillar or on the boot floor. The VIN number is also stamped into the body shell, usually under the bonnet or on the floor pan alongside the driver's seat. A manufacturer's franchised dealer will be able to tell you where the VIN number is located on the model you are interested in buying.
Check that the log book and service history is available before agreeing to buy the car
Mileage
Check the indicated mileage on the vehicle. The MOT certificate will have the indicated mileage at the time of the test, and a service history should show the mileage at the appropriate service intervals. A motor dealer may apply a disclaimer sticker to the speedometer advising you that the indicated mileage is incorrect.
Private Individuals
If you are buying from a private individual, check tha the name and address on the registration document correspond with the address where you are viewing the car? Be wary if the seller does not have a registration document, or if it does not show his name and address as the vehicle keeper. Be particularly careful if the seller offers to bring the car to you or to meet you elsewhere.
Buying from someone at their home
Remember that if you are buying from a private individual your legal protection is considerably less than if you buy from a motor dealer. You only have a right to redress if the car is stolen or not as described. Some motor dealers sell cars from a private house. If they do, any advertisements they place must make it clear that they are traders.
Warranties
The vendor may offer to sell you a warranty. There will be certain conditions and exclusions to the warranty and there may be a limit to how much you can claim. If you do decide to buy a warranty, check to make sure you are satisfied with what you are buying. The warranty is over and above your statutory rights against the trader.
Independent Engineer's Report
If you do not know much about cars, you may wish to obtain an independent engineer's report on the car before committing yourself to buying it. For example, the AA or RAC offer this service, even for non members. You can also check to see if a car has been stolen, is an insurance write off, or has outstanding finance owing on it. You can do this by carrying out a HPI check, see links below.
Second hand
Remember that you are buying a second hand product and that it will show some signs of wear. You would not normally be able to seek redress from the vendor for fair wear and tear, and warranties do not normally cover items that would be expected to wear out and be replaced during the normal course of ownership.
Contact Details
Consumer Advice and Information in Solihull, is now provided by our partners at Consumer Direct West Midlands. Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, which is supported by local authorities (Trading Standards) and Central Government. If you do need support or assistance from Trading Standards, you will of course be referred to them by Consumer Direct.