Used car - what to look for when buying it?

The used car trade is a specific segment of the automotive industry. It is easy to find cars whose technical condition is far from the seller's declaration. Buying a good used car in perfect condition is difficult, but possible. We advise how to buy a used car and when we can exercise our rights.

New or used car - which one to buy?

Contrary to what it seems, the dilemma described above often concerns people who would like to buy a car but don't know how to do it. By the way, they do not have the automotive knowledge that would allow them to effectively navigate the used car market. The thinking here is simple - buy a new car, thus avoiding problems.

In the case of a new car, no one will hide its history from us - an accident or a serious breakdown. We also get several years of new car warranty. The problem, however, is the price - new cars are expensive and even more expensive. The car most of all loses in value in the initial period of use. Therefore, we can easily buy a used, multi-year car for an amount several tens of percent lower than a new one. This is an indispensable argument for people who do not have an unlimited budget for the car of their dreams. Of course, we can always take out a loan for a new car - but then we will end up paying even more for the car.

Before making a purchase decision, you should carefully calculate your financial capabilities - remember that a car is a product that also requires investments - in periodic inspection, replacement of consumables, possible repairs (not all defects are covered by the warranty).  

How and where to buy a used car?

People who cannot afford to buy a new car in a car dealership most often look at offers on popular auction portals. There are hundreds of thousands of listings from private sellers as well as companies specializing in car sales. Most of the cars offered in the ads look favorable, and yet the bad opinion about the honesty of car dealers in Poland did not arise from scratch. So who should you buy a used car from? In my opinion, it is safest to buy it from private hands - directly from the person who operated the car and knows its history. Ideally, he should be its first owner. Unfortunately, it is not easy to find a car model we are interested in from a private seller.

The market is dominated by advertisements for cars imported from abroad, whose history is sometimes uncertain - often contrary to the assurances of sellers. Recently, the service of selling used cars with a guarantee is gaining more and more popularity. When buying a car, we insure against breakdowns that may occur within a certain period after purchase (for example, for a year). This is some form of buyer protection, but be sure to read the terms of this warranty carefully before purchasing. Often it turns out that it covers only some components and types of faults. Used cars with a warranty are also usually more expensive than cars offered without such protection.

Can I return a used car after purchase?

When buying a car - regardless of whether it was made at a commission, in a car dealership, on the stock exchange or from a private owner, we have a number of consumer rights. It is not true that after signing the sales contract, we can no longer return the car to the seller. The Civil Code in force in Poland gives every buyer the right to the so-called. guarantee. This makes the seller liable for physical defects in the item sold. Therefore, if after purchasing the car we find that it has significant defects that the seller did not report to us, we have the right to demand that the seller eliminate them, reduce the price from the contract or completely terminate the contract and return the money for the car. Of course, this applies to the hidden flaws of the car that are not specified in the contract, i.e. those about which the buyer of the car was not informed. It is worth reading the sales contract in advance, especially when it is provided by the seller, to make sure that it does not intentionally include a clause on the exclusion of the possibility of returning the vehicle.

What are the mistakes of a used car salesman?

However, don't try to return the car to the dealer just because we changed our mind about buying it. The reason must be a significant defect concealed by the seller, such as the concealment of an emergency repair to which the vehicle has been subjected, a serious technical defect of which the buyer was not informed, or the unclear legal status of the vehicle. Unfortunately, there is no exact, specific legal interpretation with a list of potential reasons why we can return the purchased car. If the seller does not agree with our arguments and does not want to accept the return of the car, we have to go to court.

How long do we have to return a used car after purchase?

Surprisingly, the buyer of a used car has plenty of time to return it, according to the Code. The term depends on the length of the used vehicle warranty. This usually extends to up to two years, unless the seller has reduced this to one year (to which he is entitled).

The theory says so, but market practice shows that any claims against the seller should be made as soon as possible after the purchase. Then it is easier to prove that, for example, the breakdown was the result of the state of the car hidden by the seller at the time of purchase. Claims cannot relate to defects caused by the operation of the car - therefore it is very difficult to prove that, for example, the car's starter was damaged at the time of purchase, and did not break down later - when used by the new owner. Statistics show that buyers of used cars use the warranty only in extreme cases - when the intentional concealment of the condition of the car by the seller is obvious.

When buying a used car, be sure to look out for vague or vague clauses in the sales contract. If necessary, we can ask the seller for a sample of the content of the contract and consult on it with a specialist in the field of current legal regulations.

in the Auto section.