Buying a used car can seem more risky than splurging on a brand new one.
As an extra security, many car dealers offer guarantees via external guarantee companies, which cover costs should something on the car break down.
However, the guarantees are expensive and are also not necessary in many cases, report The World of Technology.
Automatic protection against original errors
The reason why guarantees are unnecessary in many cases is Sweden’s very strong consumer purchase law.
The Swedish Consumer Purchase Act means that the car dealer is obliged to bear the cost of what are called “original faults”, for up to three years after the purchase.
The customer’s rights are particularly strong during the first two years, as defects that appear within this period are considered original unless the car dealer can prove otherwise. That according to Victoria Fredholmexpert at the Swedish Consumer Agency, whom Teknikens Värld has spoken to.
This means that faults that occur on a used car can be expensive for the car dealer who sold it.
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Car dealers avoid responsibility
According to Teknikens Värld, many car dealers choose to refer a complaint to the warranty company, in cases where the customer has spent expensive money on a warranty. This is despite the fact that the responsibility according to the Consumer Purchase Act lies with the car dealer during the first two years.
A defect can be classified as original, even if it is discovered a year after the purchase – Photo: Fredrik Sandberg
– It is common for this to happen and there is really nothing wrong with it. You can go through the warranty company, but that should be the consumer’s decision. If the customer chooses to report the car due to an original fault to their car dealer, the car dealer is responsible for two years. The customer should not pay anything, says Viktoria Fredholm to Teknikens Värld.
The arrangement does not mean that the customer has to pay anything additional over the cost of the warranty, but means that the car dealer avoids costs that they must be responsible for by law.
That’s how you should act
When it comes to how to deal with a car dealer who does not want to take responsibility for mistakes, the tip from Viktoria Fredholm is to turn to the General Complaints Board (ARN) to have your case heard.
However, it is important to have full control of how to make such a report, and what documentation is required, before turning to ARN.
– The best thing is to, before making your report, read thoroughly on ARN’s website and on our (Consumer Agency) website. When it comes to cars, you should take the car to a workshop and carry out a fault finding, so that the workshop can give a written statement about what is wrong with the car and, if possible, also make a statement if the fault is original or not, says Viktoria Fredholm to Teknikens World.
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