Second-hand Car Warranties

Buying a car is a complicated decision that should not be taken lightly, since there are many factors that we must consider seriously before making the decision, and even more so if we opt for the option of purchasing a car from second hand.

Second-hand car warranties

When we consider the possibility of buying a second-hand car, there are always many doubts, the most common of which arise about what will happen if it gives us a problem derived from its use to date.

Before making any decision, we have to think if we want to buy the car through a private party or if, on the contrary, we prefer to do it with the help of a dealer.

The Law of Guarantees in the Sale of Consumer Goods only applies to dealers, therefore it is not something we can avail ourselves of in the case of an individual. This makes us feel safer buying this type of car at a dealership, since we are covered within that security framework and if a fault appears in one way or another we are covered.

In case of buying from an individual

As for the sale and the obligations that an individual has in the sale are very simple, he simply has to make sure to deliver the car free of all charges, encumbrances or any hidden defect.

First option

If we buy the car and we perceive some type of irregularity of which we have not been informed by the buyer, we have a period of 6 months to file a lawsuit, with which it is expected that the conflict will be settled in our favor without any cost to our pockets.

In either of the two options, both private and private, as always, we recommend testing the vehicle first.

Second option

Another option that we have is to return the car. But in order for us to access this option, we must have previously filed a complaint, in addition to being obliged to prove that the defect in the car is prior to the purchase, that is, we have not done it.

We have to remember that the seller has no obligation to give us any type of guarantee in writing, from which the need for us to file a complaint derives.

On the other hand, we do not have any type of right to claim for the faults that were in sight at the time we made the purchase of the car, since the seller, as we have said previously, is obliged to report any damage it may have. Car.

But this does not stop there, we must also bear in mind that if the buyer is an expert accustomed to detecting the possible faults that a used car may have, the seller will avoid paying any type of repair of faults of this type.

Third option

In the event that we report and win, in addition to having the possibility of a free repair or the option to return the car, we can also negotiate a low sale. It is possible to hire an insurer for a price that can vary between 200 and 500 euros, through which we get an extension of the guarantee that covers all future problems.

In case of buying from a dealer

If, on the contrary, we decide to buy the car in a dealer, we have all these operations covered by the Law of Guarantees in the Sale of Consumer Goods for one year from the date of sale of consumption.

In this case, the seller will be fully responsible for both the condition and the qualities of the used car. This means that the buyer, in the event that he appreciates a failure, can always appeal to the seller through Consumer arbitration.

The option of acquiring our car through a dealer is somewhat more expensive.

Another point to take into account is the price. A used car bought at a dealer will always be more expensive than bought from a private party. This happens because we not only have to add to the price the law that exempts us from paying in case the car gives us a problem, but we also have to add VAT.

However, most dealerships offer a discount on the price of the second-hand car in exchange for the sale of our old car.

The options they give us in case it is proven that the car was indeed damaged are:

Free repair of defects
Full refund of the price paid
Replacement of the car with another of the same characteristics.