Buying a used car (...
 

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[Closed] Buying a used car (part-ex clearance) from dealer, no warranty??

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I've seen a nice part-ex deal locally, it's in great condition with loads of service history. Had a quick look yesterday but the person I spoke to said no warranty at all - I can understand that it won't come with something like a proper 6 month warranty, but I thought they had to have some kind of guarantee? A quick google suggests there is a 30 day money back thing if you buy from a dealer - “short-term right to reject” rule under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, but can they actually refuse this? The person I spoke to yesterday was just a Sunday office type person, going to speak to main person later but just kind of want to know my rights first.


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 9:05 am
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The warranties supplied by used car dealers (other than manufacturer approved) are pretty much useless with way too many exclusions and an utter waste of money.

Often used car dealers push you to use the warranty so they can avoid their responsibilities under the Consumer Rights Act as well.

If you really want a warranty, buy it yourself, though you'd be better off just putting the money in a bank account and funding repairs yourself IMO


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 9:10 am
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So long as you aren't paying much over the "private seller" price no problem.
We just bought a trade in from a Ford main stealers and were offered a chance to buy a warranty (no thanks, see above) but they did have the 30 day thing, which is plenty to conduct a very extended test drive.
I imagine the sales staff will offer something to sweeten the deal, but as always if you feel uneasy walk away.


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 9:22 am
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If you're having to ask us, you probably shouldn't be taking the 'risk'.


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 9:24 am
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Cars are sometimes sold as trade sales which implies no warranty, no returns, you’re on your own. I have no idea of the legalities if it though as a private buyer?


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 9:25 am
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Well, just spoken to them, managed to knock £200 quid off and they say they will honor anything within 30 days, so looks good. I get what some have said about warranties being useless but just want to make sure I've got some kind of comeback if the engine blows up in 2 weeks time. Although this car has an amazing service history so should be good.


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 9:30 am
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It won't blow up in two weeks will it! More like 2 months.

What % of the cost is the £200?

Mostly what HH said.


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 9:33 am
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It's about 8% knocked off. It's not an expensive car, a bit above private prices but great condition and history. I looked into what to look for and what might need doing to it and it's basically all been done.


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 9:40 am
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If it has full service history and the asking price is not a massive stretch then why not. When I say massive stretch could you afford another £5-600 in a few months if somthing went wrong? You are taking a risk here, might be a lemmon, might last another 100k.

See if you could knock it down to a round 10% off


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 9:49 am
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"Warranty" and "Consumer rights" are two different things and it helps to keep them separate.

If you, as as consumer, buy a car from somebody selling cars as a business, you always have your consumer rights, although you may have to decide whether you'll have too much trouble enforcing them. Calling something a "trade sale" where the buyer is a consumer makes no difference.

Warranty is something over and above your consumer rights and may or may not be included in the sale, and may be available at extra cost.

The distinction is also useful when buying new goods; your consumer rights are against the retailer, while the warranty may be offered by the manufacturer.


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 10:01 am
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Does all that apply on second hand goods thought Greybeard?

OP, if they've thought it's worth retaining for sale at their dealership, rather than just punting it off to a trader or auction I reckon they must be fairly confident it's a good one.


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 10:33 am
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Does all that apply on second hand goods thought Greybeard?

Yes, I believe it does, if bought from a trader. Obviously second hand goods are judged by different standards but must still be satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described.

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/consumer-rights-what-you-need-to-know


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 11:16 am
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Have you checked the MOT history? Have you checked the dealer?


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 12:31 pm
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As above, if they're a trader then there are consumer rights (which is different from a warranty). Although I thought it only covers faults which should have been apparent? i.e if the engine just blows up then you're on your own. If the engine blows up because it was leaking coolant out in a matter of miles and the dealer just put enough water in to get it off the forecourt then you're covered.


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 2:25 pm
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It's a classic dealer trick to try and avoid responsibility.
Makes you think you got a bargain 'out the back door' and don't you have any responsibilities.
It's bullshit, and shady practice. It would make me suspicious that the car isn't up to much.

Tbh, as above, most dealer SH car warranties aren't worth a not. It's best to treat a dealer car the same as a private one, it's just they got to the car before you did so you have to pay extra.
*The above is a little different for franchised brands, although they're still shysters...


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 2:35 pm
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Buy the seller not the car. They sound pretty decent to me. Their next step would normally be to send it to auction as it's not a car they would resell. My first car was a £200 mini bought this way.


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 3:03 pm
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If it's a garage that mostly sells premium cars, they won't want to spend time / effort on making a trade-in sellable so they'll just punt it on to auction. If they can get more from a private seller before that, it's a win:win for them.

As above, if you buy from a car dealer then you have rights, even if they say otherwise. My understanding is that if a fault occurs within six months, the onus is on the dealer to prove that it was not detectable at the time of purchasing. Have a look here: https://www.theaa.com/car-buying/legal-rights

Obviously the salesperson is spinning you a yarn, so if they're willing to lie about their responsibilities I wouldn't have a lot of trust. If they're a large dealership I'd guess they'll adhere to consumer rights law. Small-time wheeler dealer? Not so much.


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 3:25 pm
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What Greybeard said. Buying a used car from a dealer you have the same rights to reject etc as buying new.

can they actually refuse this?

You cannot have your statutory rights removed even if you sign a piece of paper saying "I hereby waive all my statutory rights," that's what "statutory" means.


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 3:28 pm
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You cannot have your statutory rights removed even if you sign a piece of paper saying “I hereby waive all my statutory rights,” that’s what “statutory” means.

Yep - my sister took her car dealer to the small claims court and notwithstanding the fact they forged a document that they claimed my sister had signed waiving her rights as a consumer the judge threw their defence out for exactly this reason.

The consumer rights act has a specific clause stating that a consumer cannot have their rights withdrawn regardless of some dodgy clause in a contract. He was not amused at their solicitor's attempts to argue otherwise.


 
Posted : 02/11/2020 5:16 pm

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