CHECK THE PAPERWORK
CAREFULLY
Used car dealers must put a
vehicle description form on the windscreen of every used car.
The form will show the dealer's name, the cash price and other
details such as the engine number, odometer reading and if
a warranty applies.
A Form 4 indicates the car
has a standard used car warranty.
A Form 8 means there is no statutory warranty.
Occasionally there may be Form 6. This means a standard used
car warranty applies but the dealer is not going to repair
certain items that don't affect safety, such as air conditioning.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR STATUTORY
WARRANTY RIGHTS
All used vehicles purchased
from licensed dealers are covered by a usually 3 month statutory
warranty providing:
WHAT DOES YOUR
WARRANTY COVER?
In general terms, the motor
vehicle and all accessories fitted at the time of sale are
covered by the warranty. If a defect occurs during the warranty
period, the dealer is obliged to fix the defect so that the
vehicle is in reasonable condition for it's age. The time
it takes to make repairs is added on to your warranty period.
WHAT DOESN'T
YOUR WARRANTY COVER?
Your warranty will not cover
routine adjustments, such as tune-ups and oil changes or replacement
of batteries and tires. However, tires must be roadworthy
at the time of sale. You will not be covered for any defects
resulting from an accident or misuse of the vehicle -- such
as motor racing or rallying.
You should check with the dealer
to see which items are covered and which are not.
EXTENDED WARRANTY
You may be offered an extended
warranty for periods beyond your statutory warranty. But check
carefully, many of these warranties are only valid if you
observe very strict servicing and spare parts agreements and
generally only cover specific items.
VEHICLE
INSPECTION
Check the vehicle thoroughly
for superficial scratches, dents and damage to the vehicles
interior such as stains and tears in the upholstery. Damage
that should have been noticed during a reasonable inspection
of the vehicle will not be covered by your warranty. A mechanical
inspection by an independent mechanic or inspection service like the NRMA is a good idea.
THE TEST DRIVE
A test drive is important, but BE WARNED, you
run the risk of substantial claims being made against you
if you have an accident. Check with the dealer on your liability
before you decide to go for a test drive.
SIGNING A CONTRACT
If you sign anything it is probably a contract.
A contract is a legally enforceable document. Read all documents
carefully and do not sign anything that is unclear or you
do not agree with. If you are unsure about anything, it can
be a good idea to take the contract away and get independent
advice.
*Do
not sign a contract until you are sure you intend to purchase
the vehicle*