In the coming weeks we are bringing you a story into a used car sales garage in Loughborough and the shocking experience that a customer went through.
The story will shock you, which includes how after buying the vehicle from a Loughborough Used Car Sales room it broke down an hour later and then being told there was glass missing from inside of the windscreen which was hidden. The buyer of the car was told the windscreen could shatter at any minute. So, we thought until then we would bring you information on hidden issues a used car may have and issues that car salespeople may try to hide.
The RAC looked at 32,000 used cars for sale in the UK and found that 52% of them had a hidden history that could lead to serious problems for the new owner. One of the main problems that the RAC found were cars being sold that were deemed insurance write-offs.
Francesca Mann from RAC Motoring Services said that those looking to purchase a used car need to be on their guard more than ever to make sure the money they are paying for a car does not turn out to be a nightmare.
Francesca Mann explained: “Drivers might be alarmed to see just how many vehicles for sale have hidden histories that could end up costing them dear should they decide to go ahead, but this is precisely why we make these checks in the first place – to give them the information they need to make the right choice.
“Forewarned is forearmed, and drivers that do their homework on vehicles put themselves in a much stronger position to negotiate on price, or simply walk away from the sale if they feel they are taking too great a risk.”
The RAC recommends that anyone buying a used car should have the history checked and have it inspected by a trained mechanic before making a purchase. The RAC offers such a service.
Advice to a buyer whose vehicle history check flags issues:
Number plate change – talk to the owner and check the documentation to ensure a plate change is legitimate, for instance with a previous owner swapping the plate for a cherished, personalised one. The car’s number plate must always match the one on the V5C
Outstanding finance – be fully confident the seller has paid off finance on their vehicle in full, and ask them to re-run an RAC Vehicle History Check to prove it. Cars still being paid offer under Hire Purchase (HP) or Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements cannot be sold on
Insurance write-off – while most drivers might want to walk away from a car that has been written-off unless they are specialists seeking parts, the write-off category will determine whether or not the car can be sold on legally. In some cases, a Category N write-off might be roadworthy but just have some cosmetic damage. In any case, it’s best to get a professional inspection if you are considering buying a write-off
Imports – imported cars must be approved and be accompanied by specific government-required documentation
Colour change – this might suggest a re-spray after an accident, although owners can change the colour of their vehicle if they tell the DVLA. Get a professional inspection before you buy to be sure
It is important when considering purchasing a used car from a car sales outlet to follow the advice from the RAC.
We will be looking into the Loughborough used car sales outlet in great deal, which includes having the vehicle that was purchased inspected. We will bring you that investigation in the coming weeks, an investigation which could shock you and put you off purchasing a used car.
