Bought A Second hand Car? We will safety check it for you – free of charge
As part of a major investigation into car safety, Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards are offering consumers the opportunity to have their new vehicle purchases checked by a vehicle expert for safety and roadworthiness – free of charge.
You will need to have purchased the car in the last month, from a Warwickshire trader (not a private seller), and for a price not exceeding £3000.
The vehicle examinations will take place at Warwickshire Trading Standards Headquarters, Old Budbrooke Road, Warwick CV35 7DP (close to the Warwick Parkway Station), on Thursday 15th November and Friday 16th November 2007.
To book an appointment, or for further information, please phone 01926 414032 (appointments are limited and an assessment will be made on the phone to ensure criteria for the checks are met). For other general vehicle complaints, phone Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
The aim of the vehicle checks is to identify any Warwickshire garages that may be selling second hand vehicles that are not safe to drive. Warwickshire Trading Standards has the power to prosecute traders who sell unroadworthy vehicles.
Trading Standards experts will be looking for bald tyres, faulty brakes, serious corrosion/rust and steering problems etc.
Warwickshire Trading Standards can only take action against businesses who sell unroadworthy vehicles – not private sellers. This fact, combined with the anticipated demand for vehicle checks, has meant that this offer can only be afforded to consumers who have purchased vehicles from Warwickshire traders.
In a private sale, the only obligation on the seller is that the vehicle is ‘as described’. If it is not, then the buyer can take the seller to court and sue for damages. Therefore, consumers who purchase vehicles from private sellers are strongly advised to have the vehicle independently checked before they make their purchase.
For more information on vehicle safety, visit our website: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards