The Dangers of Second Hand Cars

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Buying a second hand car can seem like a good option as opposed to buying a brand new car. Brand new cars quickly lose their value as soon as they are driven away from the showroom.

But buying a used car can be fraught with hidden dangers. You may have found what you thought was a bargain and the car in question may look lovely with gleaming paintwork and sumptuous leather upholstery but what lies beneath the bonnet could be a very different matter.

Some of the things to beware of are:

Clocking
Clocking is a very common practice and involves reducing the mileage or turning back the odometer so it appears the car has done less miles than it actually has. The average car does 10,000 to 12,000 miles per year, so if you think the mileage is inconsistent with the age and condition of the car, then it is well worth investigating further.

Cut n Shut
Cut and shut is the term used when two different vehicles are welded together and made to look like one car. Both vehicles used are usually write offs and the back end of one is welded to the front of the other. These cars are unroadworthy and are likely to be extremely lethal in an accident.

If you buy a second hand car from a private individual and later find the car is faulty in some way, there is really not a lot you can do. Most private sales are on an “as seen” basis. If the seller refuses to give you your money back you could be stuck with a faulty vehicle as there is no legal obligation for the seller to ensure that the vehicle is fit for its intended use.

On the other hand if you go to a reputable car sales dealer, this will be a much safer option. A registered motor dealer does have an obligation to takes all steps reasonably and practically possible to ensure that the goods that they are selling are fit for their intended use.

via 3stepads.com

If you are thinking of buying a second hand car, read this article first. There are lots of hazards for unsuspecting buyers, so do take precautionary measures and go to a reputable car sales dealer.