So you’re in the market for a used car. You might have heaps of questions, including whether you should buy from a licensed dealer or a private seller. There are certainly advantages and drawbacks to each seller. But the first question you should probably have is does your used car have a warranty?On one hand, you can save money by buying from a private party and you can avoid pushy salespeople. On the other hand, buying from a licensed dealer grants you certain guarantees and warranties.
Honest and Professional Pre-purchase Car Inspection in Melbourne, VIC
We have been in the automotive industry since 1984, ranging from apprentice, through to master technician, workshop foreman, controller, service advisor and service manager, in numerous premium vehicle businesses. We have built a level of loyalty that in the 21st Century is vital. After all, customer service and care is a point of difference.
We hope we are able to help you out with your needs. Our business is also known as Prepurchase Check.
Statutory Warranty
In certain circumstances, you are entitled to a warranty at no extra cost when you buy a used vehicle from a licensed:
• motor dealer
• chattel auctioneer.
When you buy a car from those places, you may be able to get a statutory warranty at no cost to you. This warranty protects you from financial loss if your vehicle is faulty.
A licensed motor car trader must provide a statutory warranty if the car:
• is less than 10 years old, and
• has travelled less than 160,000 kilometres.
Note: the car’s age is determined by the date stamped on its build plate, usually found on the firewall between the engine and passenger compartments.
What Your Used Car Warranty Covers
A statutory warranty will cover most part defects whether they stop working properly or altogether. However, a statutory warranty does not cover defects relating to:
• any item listed on a defect notice with a reasonable estimate of how much it will cost to repair
• accidental damage that occurred after delivery of the vehicle
• damage caused by misuse or negligence by a driver after delivery of the vehicle.
A statutory warranty also does not cover defects occurring in:
• tyres
• batteries
• radios, cassette players, CD players, MP3 and MP4 players, and docks
• DVD players and video display panels
• telephone and in-car telephone kits
• global positioning systems (GPS), satellite navigation systems and other computerised navigation systems
• power outlets, including cigarette lighter sockets
• cigarette lighters
• car aerials
• non-standard alarms
• clocks
• non-standard body hardware
• non-standard keyless entry systems and remote keypads
• tools other than jacks and wheel braces
• light globes, sealed beam lights and non-standard fog lights
• keyless entry systems and remote keypads that are not standard to the car.
How Long A Statutory Warranty Lasts
A statutory warranty lasts for three months or 5000 kilometres after purchase, whichever occurs first.
The trader must repair any faults covered during the warranty period in order to ensure the car is in a reasonable condition for its age.
Note: even after the statutory warranty expires, you still have rights under the Australian Consumer Law that you can rely on if there is a problem with your car. However, the level of protection will depend on things such as the car’s age and condition. For more information, view Consumer Affairs Victoria’s Consumer guarantees page.
Transfer Of Statutory Warranty
A licensed motor car trader provides a statutory warranty only as part of the contract. Therefore, if you sell your car privately before the three months or 5,000 kilometres have passed, the warranty does not transfer to the new owner.
Claims And Repairs
If you have a part not listed above that needs a repair or replacement, you will need to notify the warrantor with a written notice, who has 5 days to tell you whether the defects are covered.
If the warrantor does not respond in writing within 5 days, they are taken to have accepted that:
• the statutory warranty does cover the defects
• they will be responsible for repairing your vehicle.
For repairs, you’ll need to take the car either to the warrantor or an authorised repair shop. The shop will then have 14 days to repair the vehicle.
Each day your car is in the shop, it adds an extra day to your warranty term.
The authorised repairer should be less than 20km from the warrantor’s place of business. They may only use a more distant repairer if you agree to it.
If your vehicle is more than 200km from the warrantor’s place of business, they may choose to:
• nominate the nearest qualified repairer
• pay delivery costs if they decide to use another repairer.
Hire The Best Pre-purchase Car Inspector in Melbourne, VIC
Have a professional inspector like German Precision to do a thorough pre-purchase car inspection in Melbourne to ensure that your dream car is operating properly and not a scam.
If you are looking for a professional pre-purchase car inspector in Melbourne, do not hesitate to contact German Precision or Prepurchase Check today!
sources: consumer.vic.gov.au, autoking.com.au, warrantyandinsurance.com.au
