Almost HALF of all motors sold privately turn out to have hidden problems
KEEP your eye on the road when sourcing a second-hand car because the chances of buying a dodgy motor are greater than you think.
Almost half of all motors sold privately turned out to have hidden problems
Almost half of all motors sold privately turned out to have hidden problems when buyers paid for a car check prior to purchase.
Of these, a third had previously been written off, while around one in five had outstanding finance, which means they could be seized by the credit company without compensation.
Others had been previously stolen or scrapped, making them a danger on the road.
Some second hand cars sold have previously been written off
Registration plate transfers, colour changes and imported vehicles were also spotted by MyCarCheck.com.
Buying a used vehicle can be exciting, but the private market is fraught with risks
Company head Roger Powell said: “Buying a used vehicle can be exciting, but the private market is fraught with risks.”
Buyers think they get more value for money in a private sale, but growing numbers are playing safe shifting to dealers and car supermarkets.
“They are attracted by warranties and manufacturerapproved used car schemes too,” Powell added.
One in five second-hand cars sold had outstanding finance
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You can check your used car purchase for hidden nasties through companies such as the AA and HPICheck.com.
These companies check data provided by the police, DVLA, insurers and finance houses and alert you to any problems.
Costs range from £2 to £20, depending on the information you need – a tiny proportion of the purchase price.
A full RAC inspection is dearer, from £99 to £239, to see if a car is mechanically and structurally sound.