One in five used car dealers refuse to take a test drive

As many as 20 percent of used car dealers refuse to take a test drive, even if they have to drive. One in three sellers won't allow vehicle inspections at all, according to Motoraporter, which inspects used cars at the request of buyers.

– When looking for a used car, it is worth remembering that most of them are specially prepared for sale. The visual impression can be decisive, which is why salespeople go to great lengths to improve the appearance of the vehicle they sell. Moreover, this is a relatively inexpensive procedure, explains Marcin Ostrowski, Chairman of the Board of Motoraporter. – Repairing a damaged chassis or other mechanical defects that directly affect driving comfort and safety is much more expensive. So it's not surprising that almost twenty percent of sellers will not agree to a test drive. Some of them seem to have something to hide.

See also: Usually a used car after an accident and with the mileage removed - market overview

Buying a used car is not an easy task. If it is possible to carry out a basic inspection on site and make a preliminary assessment of the technical condition, then the condition of the suspension, brakes or gearbox can only be checked during a test drive or a visit to the mechanic. But the buyer does not always have such an opportunity.

“Motoraporter specialists often come across salespeople who have so much to hide that they refuse to inspect the car at all. The data we collected last year shows that in thirty-four percent of cases our expert was refused cooperation, explains Marcin Ostrowski.

Data collected by Motoraporter experts show that 18 percent. used car dealers categorically refuse to accept for a test drive. More than 60 percent of owners who sell cars do not want a specialist with knowledge of auto mechanics behind the wheel.

- Of course, it is inconvenient for both the buyer and the seller to drive someone else's car. It's clear. The car seller may be afraid that an unknown driver could lead to an accident, on the other hand, the buyer does not want to buy the proverbial pig in a poke. In such cases, some owners of cars for sale decide to carry a potential buyer in the passenger seat. Unfortunately, not everyone accepts this opportunity, adds Ostrovsky.

Before you make a test drive, pay special attention to the documents of the car. The provisions of the SDA clearly state that when driving a vehicle, the driver must have, in addition to the driver's license, a document confirming the acceptance of the vehicle for operation, and a certificate of conclusion of a contract of compulsory civil liability insurance to third parties. The driver can be fined up to PLN 250 for not having the required documents. If he causes an accident with a car without liability, he will pay for the repair of the damage out of his own pocket. In extreme cases, when there are deaths and large material losses, compensation can reach more than a million zł.

An analysis by Motoraporter's experts shows that for the whole of 2013, 62% of the technical condition of the cars sold did not match the description in the ad. Twisted meters have traditionally been a big problem. As many as 44 percent. In a number of cases, the expert who conducted the examination had reason to suspect that the mileage had been adjusted in the proposed vehicle. In the report prepared after the first half of 2013, this percentage was 40%. This trend is worrisome and has proportionally increased over the years.

To use the services of Motoraporter, simply go to the website http://sprawdzauto.regiomoto.pl/. Professional expertise will help save time and money, especially if we want to go to the other end of Poland to inspect the car. Here is how Motoraporter checks cars:

Motoraporter - see how we check used cars