Cars
Buying a car from a dealer is the safest way to buy, as you get the maximum protection of the law. But there are dodgy dealers, so follow our advice to make sure your dealer follows a code of practice, stays within the law, and gives you all the information you need before you make your purchase.
- Finding a dealer
- Your rights when buying from a dealer
- Test drives
- Agreeing the deal
- Before you sign
Avoid dodgy dealers by looking for an established firm with a good reputation. Ask the advice of friends and look for a trade association sign which should mean the dealer follows a code of practice.
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.
Look for a dealer whose cars have been inspected by an independent engineer or one of the motoring organisations. Ask to see the report on the car you want to buy. It will not be as detailed as one you pay for yourself, but will provide useful information. Or choose a dealer with a quality-checking scheme, such as Ford Direct, Rover Approved or Vauxhall's Network Q.
Your rights when buying from a dealer
When buying from a dealer, the law says a car must be:
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Of satisfactory quality. It must meet the standard a reasonable person would regard as acceptable, bearing in mind the way it was described, how much it cost, the age and the mileage on the vehicle. Amongst other things, this covers the appearance and finish of the car, its safety and its durability. The car must be free from defects, except when they were pointed out to you by the seller.
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As described. If the advert states “air conditioning and CD player” then the car should come with these features and they should be working.
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Reasonably fit for any normal purpose. It should get you from A to B.
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Reasonably fit for any other purpose you specify to the seller. For example, towing a caravan.
These rights are not affected by any mechanical breakdown insurance (which is often sold by dealers if the manufacturer's warranty has run out), guarantee or warranty giving additional protection. Once a trader gives a warranty it becomes an agreement on its own, but it is not your legal right to demand a warranty from the trader.
If you inspect the car, or someone does so for you, the dealer may not be liable for any faults which should have been uncovered by the inspection. It's a good idea to get a description of the vehicle's condition from the dealer: ask whether there is a pre-sale inspection checklist.
Take advantage of free test drives (some dealers let you test drive a car over 48 hours). Key points to look out for include:
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Comfort of the seating position
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All-round visibility
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Road handling and braking
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Seat belts and exterior lights 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 part exchanging 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, road tax 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. And make sure you have proof of the offer.
Before you commit to buying a car, make sure you fully understand the conditions of sale, the trade-in price on your existing car and any finance agreement, including deposit terms and interest charges and payment protection options on any finance deals.
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.
