Improve the buying and selling used cars system?

pete4130

As posted in another thread and asked to start a new thread on the topic, here goes.

There are always discussions about used car sales, comebacks, dishonest sellers, dodgy dealers, people clueless about buying cars and finding out undisclosed problems.

The idea that the Govt. should implement a simple standard used car sales form for private and dealers. A simple "flick and tick" boxes style format where the seller has to tick for standard questions to cover any future grievances sellers might have.

For example:

- Are all tyres including spare of a legal standard?

- Has the car been involved in an accident during your ownership?

- Has the car been involved in an accident previously?

- Has the odometer original and not been replaced or adjusted for any reason that you are aware of?

- Is there any outstanding finance owed on the car?

- Are you aware to send the log book to Shannon and NOT to give it to the buyer?

- Is the car an import?

- Has the car ever been an insurance write off to your knowledge and if so, what category?

At the same time there can be section for the buyer with questions to safeguard honest sellers.


etc…. obviously more in depth but simple tick and flick set up.

Also a section perhaps with a blank page for the seller to state that the car would just need an aerial connector for the radio to work, if the aircon isn't working and they've been told its a simple relay to get it fixed. Basically any non standard stuff the tick and flick may not cover. The buyer can then have the car inspected by a mechanic to sign off if they choose to or sign off on it themselves. Obviously if something mechanical goes wrong there would be less of a comeback for the buyer as they opted not to have it checked over.

This would probably clean up the used car market a fair bit and make it a bit more honest if the seller had to print off a simple PDF form, tick a few boxes, declare any faults, modifications etc.

Get both parties to sign for it and any grievances within a short period of time that fall under the signed document would be more easily rectified.

It would put the onus on both parties to be more honest about what is being sold and bought while putting both their signature to agree to it.
Grievances like this could be avoided or rectified as there is liability with both parties.

I understand it wouldn't resolve all issues but it could get some of the major problems unknowing buyers can be caught out by.

Anybody got any other opinions on this?

cabb8ge

This for private sale or sale from garage or both?

pete4130

For both. Make it a standardised form, so that a legal, above board seller can tick all the boxes without worrying, sign it off like any other paperwork they have to sign. If it's a dodgy seller then they would hopefully be inclined to drop the price, disclose any issues and not worry about any comeback from the buyer. It would hopefully stop people that get buyers regret coming back to the seller and demanding their money back or threaten them as has been mentioned happening in recent threads.
At the end of the day both parties sign to say they are happy with what is being bought/sold and protects both parties.

Surely thats a good thing?

LifeSaabItch

Waaaaay too much trouble for a private sale. Where do you draw the line? 15 year old car for €500 and an arse load of paperwork.

If someone wants to buy a car privately, They should have a basic knowledge to spot a lemon or if not have a mechanic inspect it for them.

If they don't want to take that chance, Then buy from a garage.


What I would like to see, is a goverment site whete you can stick in the reg and get basic details for free.

Make/Model:
NCT Expiry:
Tax/SORD Expiry:
Last change of ownership:

And maybe a log of mileages taken at NCT like they do with the MOT in the UK using the MOT issue number.

LiamoSail

Someone recently posted about a foreign system, may have been the French system, whereby the car needs to pass a test just prior to selling, with the cert required to transfer ownership.

I'd be in favour of something similar here, with exceptions being granted for cars being declared "off the road", allowing people to still buy "fixeruppers"

There's a massive danger in those with little or no mechanical knowledge buying unroadworthy cars, and putting them on the road, through either ignorance or lack of regard to the dangers in doing so

biko

Perhaps local centres where you fill out the logbook and some form with current mileage and other details. A clerk takes ID from seller and buyer and processes the details immediately.
The seller is on record with name and details and the buyer leaves with an updated logbook and can tax car same day.
You can view car any time and then meet at centre next day for the transaction.
It would possibly stop shady sellers and also buyer wouldn't have to wait for the logbook.

advertsfox

I'd love to see some sort of system from dealers on used cars similar to that of the European energy label. Grade it around emissions, mileage, condition, MPG etc.

NickDunne

advertsfox wrote: »

I'd love to see some sort of system from dealers on used cars similar to that of the European energy label. Grade it around emissions, mileage, condition, MPG etc.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Energy_label_en.svg/150px-Energy_label_en.svg.png

Or something like the Japs have for grading their cars

Chimaera

I don't think it's worth the effort for private sales. Just as you can have aggressive buyers you can have aggressive sellers too, the sort who won't entertain any comebacks regardless. Caveat emptor is the best protection in private deals.

For trade sales, it shouldn't be necessary if the dealer is doing their job properly but I agree we need better protection for the consumer. Too many conmen out there willing to screw people over for the sake of a few euro. On some level, I'm surprised the trade bodies like SIMI don't crack down more on this stuff since it's giving legitimate traders a bad name the whole time.

ironclaw

Too much paperwork for private and I think most garages market some sort of 'multi point' check system. On the flip side, if you had a decent brand image, there is probably a business in certifying private sales.