Buyers urged to check used cars
7th June 2010
People purchasing a second-hand vehicle have been urged by a used car sales website to order a mechanical inspection before paying, lest they want to find themselves calling upon their breakdown cover.
Carsite.co.uk said batteries, clutches and headgaskets were among the parts which most commonly led to car breakdown recovery after failing on the road. The company said 36% of all vehicles fail the MoT test.
Ron Waldock, an independent RAC inspector for the company, said: "Even with a good working knowledge of cars, a test drive and visual inspection, what appears to be a well-maintained vehicle could still be hiding problems that develop soon after you become the legal owner.
"If you buy privately, you're not protected legally if the car doesn't come up to scratch. It's up to the buyer to ask the right questions and have the car thoroughly inspected, preferably by an expert, before making a purchase. Otherwise the risk is with the buyer and, if something goes wrong, it can be a costly decision."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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