Motorists make 1,500 complaints over second hand buys

Used cars are the single biggest problem being reported to the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Service and is the top consumer complaint from Nottinghamshire residents.

The county council is reminding residents buying a second hand car to check the car’s paperwork, including MOT certificate, service history, V5 registration document and finance history, and carry out a test drive and a walk around check to detect any problems.

Buyers are also advised to check the price guide value, whether the car has been recalled and seek an engineer’s or another mechanic’s opinion on the condition of the vehicle.

Coun Glynn Gilfoyle, chair of the county council’s community safety committee, said: “Second hand car sales account for two thirds of car sales and motorists are more likely to buy a second hand car since the recession in 2008 so it is not surprising that many consumer complaints relate to this kind of purchase.

“However, consumers can reduce their chances of buying an unreliable car riddled with faults by thoroughly checking the vehicle and its paperwork and seeking a second opinion.”

There is a car buyer’s app which is funded by the Trading Standards Institute and provides key information and checklists needed when buying a used car including MOT evaluations, things to look out for and legal rights at www.tradingstandards.gov.uk

For more information and advice on how second hand car checks visit www.adviceguide.org.uk/usedcars or contact the Citizen’s Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06.