{"id":55693,"date":"2022-03-18T12:45:55","date_gmt":"2022-03-18T12:45:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=55693"},"modified":"2022-03-18T12:45:56","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T12:45:56","slug":"trading-standards-say-check-its-all-ok-before-you-drive-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/trading-standards-say-check-its-all-ok-before-you-drive-away\/","title":{"rendered":"Trading Standards say check it\u2019s all ok, before you drive away"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A significant change in people\u2019s driving needs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing new car production shortages saw the used-vehicle market grow by over 10% last year, according to industry experts, with over 7 million transactions worth \u00a338 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buying a second hand vehicle is a big purchase, so Heart of the South West Trading Standards has launched a campaign<\/a> to encourage motorists to check it\u2019s all okay, before they drive away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alex Fry, Operations Manager in Intelligence and Investigations at Heart of the South West Trading Standards, said:<\/strong><\/p>

\u201cEach year we receive over 2,000 complaints about second-hand cars, so we are keen for both traders and consumers to be aware of, and understand, their rights and obligations.<\/p>

\u201cIdentify any warning signs, such as absence of documentation or mileage discrepancies and make sure you never buy a vehicle without the (V5C) logbook. A missing logbook could be an indication that the vehicle may have been stolen.<\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with your consumer rights, so you know what you are legally entitled to when buying a second-hand vehicle, and look out for phrases like \u2018trade sale\u2019 or \u2018part exchange to clear\u2019 as these are attempts to restrict your consumer rights but are not recognised by the courts.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n

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Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon\u2019s Cabinet Member responsible for Trading Standards, said:<\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

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\u201cBefore buying a second-hand vehicle, you should do some research on the seller, the vehicle and the documentation before you go ahead, as this could save you time, money and stress in the long run.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIf you have any doubts, it\u2019s safer not to proceed with the purchase, there will be other, similar vehicles available so there’s no need to take the risk if you feel uneasy.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBy carrying out certain checks, you should hopefully be able to avoid a situation where you have to\u00a0report a concern<\/a>\u00a0after you\u2019ve bought the vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\r\n\t\t\"Councillor\r\n
\r\n Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\n\n\n

Your rights will vary depending on where you buy your second-hand vehicle from. Traders are generally the safest option as it\u2019s easier to find out if a trader is reputable and trustworthy before buying from them, compared to a private seller. For example, do they have good online reviews; is the limited company registered with Companies House<\/a>; are they approved by Trading Standards<\/a> or are in a trade association scheme that uses the Motor Industry Ombudsman? You also have more legal protection under the Consumer Rights Act when buying from a trader, compared to buying privately or from an auction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These rights include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n