For peace of mind when buying a used car, it is best dealing with a Licensed Motor Car Trader.
Licensed Motor Car Traders provide warranties for all used cars less than ten years old and which have travelled less than 160,000 km.
Warranties cover vehicles for three months or 5000 km, whichever comes first, and the trader must repair or make good any defect that appear in the motor car during the warranty period so as to place the car is in a reasonable condition relative to its age.
If your car needs to be repaired under warranty, you must contact the trader before any repairs are done, or the warranty could become void, which means you will have to pay the costs.
Statutory warranties only apply to vehicles sold by Licensed Motor Car Traders.
Motorcycles, commercial vehicles, veteran, vintage and classic cars and cars bought at public auction are not covered by a statutory warranty.
Customers can be assured vehicles bought from a Licensed Motor Car Trader have clear titles. This means there is no money owing on the car, and you are protected against another party claiming a financial interest in it.
Licensed Motor Car Traders also offer a cooling-off period, whereby, after signing a purchase agreement, you have three clear days to change your mind.
The warranty legislation, clear titles and the cooling-off period are explained in the booklet 'Car Deals.' The booklet also contains information on insurance, car repairs, order forms and deposits, and includes a comprehensive, easy to follow car buyer's checklist.
Copies of Car Deals are available from VACC Accredited Automobile Dealers and VACC Accredited Used Car Traders, or by phoning the Office of Fair Trading on (03) 9627 6266.
For futher information you may find it useful to complete our on-line scenarios (which will open in a new browser window), these deal with questions about;
Cooling-off Period
Statutory Warranty
Vehicle Repairs
Pre-purchase Advice
Issued by VACC, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce.