What to look out for.
Before you buy
Test drives
Agreeing the deal
Before you sign
If things go wrong
Buying and then maintaining a car is one
of the biggest expenses consumers face. It is a complicated business
with plenty of potential for problems. Every year, the car sales and
maintenance sectors generate tens of thousands of consumer complaints.
So it makes sense to know your rights, the
pitfalls and what to do if things go wrong.
First, decide what you want and how much
you can afford. Include the cost of insurance, MOT, road tax, petrol,
repairs and servicing. If you are taking out a loan, add up the
repayments.
Look at car magazines and price guides to
see what is available for the price you want to pay, and to check the
value of any car you want to trade in.
Then start shopping around by visiting
dealers to find out what they've got in your price range.
Look for reputable dealers - ask the
advice of friends who may have had experience. Look for a trade
association sign. This should mean the dealer follows a code of practice
such as the Code of Practice for the Motor Industry.
The Retail Motor Industry
Federation or the Scottish Motor Trade Association
can give you a list of dealers that are trade association members and
follow a code of practice.
Take advantage of free test drives (some
dealers let you test drive a car over 48 hours). Key points to look out
for include:
-
Comfort of the seating position
-
All-round visibility
-
Road handling and braking
-
Seat belts working properly
Don't be afraid to haggle. Discounts are
often available, particularly on the less popular models, but it is up
to you to get the price down as much as you can. You may be able to get
a bigger discount if you pay by cash, but you may also be able to
negotiate a discount if you arrange credit through the dealer. None of
your legal rights are affected if you buy at a discount.
If you are trading in your old car, make
sure you know what it is worth. Also, make sure you are being quoted the
on-the-road price which includes VAT, number plates, delivery charges
and road tax.
If you are willing to buy “off the shelf”,
without optional extras which might include electric windows or metallic
paint, you are more likely to get a better discount. You need to make
sure you know what items are offered as optional extras and what are
included as standard on the car.
Some dealers offer special incentives to
persuade you to buy, such as a year's insurance or extended warranties.
Some are also willing to replace, or offer refunds on, new cars provided
they are returned within a certain time or mileage limit. You will need
to consider how much these offers are worth to you.
Before you commit to buying the car, make
sure you understand fully the conditions of sale, the trade-in price on
your existing car and any finance agreement, including deposit terms and
interest charge.
If you are not clear about any part of the
deal, ask for an explanation. Get it in writing if you are still not
happy. Once everything has been discussed, do not be afraid to say you
want time to think about it or to walk away if the deal is not right for
you.
If something goes wrong, go back to the
dealer straight away, explain the problem and say what you want done.
If you aren't happy with the outcome,
contact Consumer Direct for advice.
If the dealer is a member of a trade
association that follows a code of practice, then the Retail
Motor Industry Federation or the Scottish Motor Trade
Association may also be able to help.
If the car is still under manufacturer's
warranty, then contact the Society of Motor Manufacturers and
Traders.
Information kindly supplied by the Office
of Fair Trading.
This factsheet is intended to provide
general information only, and should not be taken as a full statement of
the law on this subject. Phone your local Consumer Direct centre, or
contact an alternative consumer support service if you need further or
more detailed advice.
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