Used car checks in spotlight

There are concerns that many pre-sale used-car inspections may be falling short

- JOHN EVANS

REJECTING A USED CAR

If you can show that the used car you've bought isn't of satisfactory quality, not fit for purpose or not as described, you can reject it within the first 30 days for a full refund. After that and up to the sixth month of your ownership, the dealer must be allowed one chance to fix it or refund your money, less a deduction for your use of the car. If you buy the car over the phone or online, you can reject the car within the first 14 days for a full refund without giving a reason.

Cheaper-just- and available now rather than in 12 months' time: it's no wonder that more people are buying used cars rather than new ones. However, concerns are growing over just how carefully used cars are inspected and presented by dealers.

The Motor Ombudsman, a body that dispute-resolution mediates between motortrade businesses and their customers, has said that in 2021, 9% of the used cars that it ruled on breached its sales code regarding vehicle presentation. This compares with 6% the year before.

Breaches that it noted included accredited businesses failing to record or rectify a vehicle’s faults discovered during its pre-sales inspection.