customers who buy a used car from a dealer usually pay a higher price than when buying privately. In return, you will enjoy several advantages. First and foremost legal warranty obligation to call the commercial used car dealers are subject to. In addition, car dealers can be expected to handle the transaction professionally.
Of course, there are also black sheep, where a car purchase should be avoided if possible.
In this article we explain to you:
- How to best prepare for buying a car from a dealer
- How to recognize reputable suppliers
- Which points you should consider when buying
- What rights you are entitled to
The most important information can also be found in our checklist for buying a used car from a dealer. Just take it with you to the inspection of your dream car, so that you don’t forget anything and have all the check points in view.
These are the points you should bear in mind when buying a used car
First define the requirements
Before you start looking for the car you want, you should first get an overview of your financial situation provide. This applies to both purchases from a dealer and private car buyers. You should therefore clarify the extent to which you have cash available for the purchase. If your budget is not sufficient, financing and leasing are alternatives to consider. Most dealers offer these options.
However, you should always bear in mind that both options are associated with additional costs (interest). leasing in particular is usually not worthwhile for private individuals.
For the rest you will get the highest discounts, if you have the vehicle pay cash. It can even be worthwhile to get the necessary money in the form of a bank or private loan in advance. If the financial side is clarified, you determine in the next step, according to which car type you want to search.
Among other things, the following are important type of construction (z. B. small car, station wagon, SUV, van) and the drive type (gasoline, diesel, electric, hybrid, gas). Bear in mind that diesel driving bans are imminent in some cities. In addition, alternative drive systems are currently still being subsidized by the government until 2019 in the form of a premium.
Also the desired engine performance, transmission (automatic or manual) and the drive (rear, front, all-wheel) play a role. What other equipment features (e.g. B. air conditioning, navigation system, parking aid, heated seats) should be checked between must and can criteria differentiate so as not to limit the choice too much.
Limiting yourself to a certain brand and model can also prevent you from looking at other vehicles that may be significantly less expensive.
Almost every used car can be found on the internet on relevant portals. Based on your defined criteria, it is very convenient here to find and compare suitable cars. Always set the age, mileage and condition in relation to the price. Of vehicles older than ten years or more than 150.If the belt has a mileage of more than 000 kilometers, you should refrain from buying it – except in special cases.
How to find a suitable used car dealer
If you have decided to buy a vehicle from a car dealer, you have the following options two options:
- The walk to the dealership
- Buying from an independent dealer
Here it depends first of all on what you want to have. Cheaper and older used cars are more likely to be found in independent dealerships, while young used vehicles, daily registrations and annual cars are mainly found in the yards of brand dealers. In addition to demonstration vehicles, you will also find lease returns that are reconditioned and sold by brand dealers.
Often on top of that used car warranty granted, which means that buyers are relatively well protected. However, all this comes at a price. Especially be careful with independent dealers, because black sheep are mainly in this segment. For more information on car buying scams on the internet, see our detailed article on this subject.
On the other hand, it is positive if the independent dealer has his own workshop where he checks and repairs used vehicles himself.
You can also recognize a reputable dealer by the following factors:
- The dealer takes sufficient time for consultation
- It provides sufficient information about possible defects
- It provides a complete view of all vehicle documents (u. A. TuV report, maintenance booklet)
- Allows you time for a thorough inspection and a test drive
- The premises are clean and tidy
- The vehicles offered are in an attractive condition
Buying a used car: inspection and test drive
Before buying a vehicle although dealers are liable for defects, always conduct a thorough inspection and a test drive. If you are dealing with a vehicle model with which you do not yet have any experience, check it first the following points:
- Do you have enough space in the vehicle??
- Sit comfortably and feel at ease?
- Get to grips with the controls? everything is easily accessible?
This is followed by a visual and functional check, which should include the following points:
- Doors and hatches: are they easy to open and close??
- Bodywork: are there any dents, scratches, paint damage or even rust??
- Glass: are the windows free of stone chips??
- Brake system: is there sufficient brake lining?? Have the brake discs shouted?
- Underbody: leaking oil or fluids? Is the exhaust intact?
- Engine compartment: leaking fluids? Are the fuel levels correct??
- Is the timing belt in good order (neither cracked nor brittle)??
- Interior: does the vehicle smell fresh?? Are upholstery and footwells maintained?
- Electronics: are the ventilation, radio, windshield wipers, sunroof, power windows and instrumentation in working order??
Caution: it is not uncommon for the speedometer tampered.
Since corresponding interventions are only difficult to prove are, you should collect indications. evidence of falsified mileage can include inspection reports, checkbook entries, stickers in engine compartments or doorways, and old garage invoices. Here, too, fraudsters get creative and forge checkbooks with specially made stamps, for example.
Have a uneasy feeling, call the workshop – the mileage is noted at every check-up! Also the vehicle condition can provide information about possible manipulation.
After the inspection, you should take the opportunity to make an test drive get. Reputable dealers allow this without problems. the drive should be a bit longer and should also lead over country roads or the freeway.
Pay attention to the following factors during the test drive:
- Are the gears easy to engage (even when skipping gears)??
- does the vehicle go straight on a straight road when you let go of the steering wheel?
- Does the vehicle run straight even under full braking??
- If the ABS? (test with full braking at low speed on gravel)
- Does the cooling system work at high revs for a longer period of time?
- Does the steering gear make noise at full stop?
- Also important: have a good feeling? Have the vehicle under control?
Important: for a test drive you have to show your driver’s license (sometimes also your identity card). In addition, you will have to sign a document that regulates the handling of damages (and the deductible).
Get more information before you buy the following documents show:
- last MOT report
- checkbook (service book)
- In case of technical modifications: ABE or. TuV certificate
In addition, always ask known defects and especially after accident damage. If the dealer does not answer truthfully, it is a case of fraudulent misrepresentation (see section "Legal aspects").
How to conduct a successful price negotiation when buying a vehicle
If you have decided to buy the used car from the dealer, the next step is to negotiate the price. Almost in every case, certain discounts can be obtained, but their amount also depends on your negotiation skills depends. The amount of the discount also depends on the popularity of the model. If you happen to know that the vehicle has been sitting in the dealer’s yard for a long time, this will increase your chances of negotiating.
9 tips for negotiating with the dealer:
- Pay for the car in cash. Here the discounts are the highest
- Do not show too much enthusiasm
- Never say that you are dependent on the car
- Bring the vehicle’s weaknesses into the discussion – don’t exaggerate, but argue competently!
- Stay friendly and fair
- If you can’t agree on a price, talk about additional services (e.g., the. B. (e.g., replacement of a set of tires, performance of upcoming maintenance work)
- stay confident and sovereign
- Don’t give the feeling that you are already satisfied with the state of negotiations
- don’t let yourself be pressured (typical dealer statements: "offer is only valid for a short time" or "I have many other interested parties")
Important notes on the conclusion of a contract
If you are in agreement with the dealer on all points, the contract is ready to be signed. Here you should follow the basic rule: payment should always be made step by step.
At clear text this means: you pay the agreed purchase price only after the contract has been signed by both parties and you are in possession of all keys and documents. If the dealer insists on a down payment before signing the purchase contract, you better look for alternatives.
The purchase contract should generally include the following points:
- Exact details of the seller and buyer
- Exact vehicle data (incl. chassis number and mileage)
- purchase price
- mention of all known defects
- Accessories sold with the vehicle
- Documents handed over
- Receipt for the payment
- Dealing with defects (see "legal aspects")
- Verbal agreements
- place, date, signature
check on the basis of the registration certificate part II (formerly vehicle title) whether keeper and owner identical are. If there is a deviation here, the dealer must provide a power of sale own. Also match the chassis number in the registration certificate part II and in the purchase contract. You must also obtain the inspection certificate of the last main inspection: the stickers alone are not sufficient.
Registration of the used car: this is how it works!
Unlike a private purchase, a dealer will usually sell you the vehicle in deregistered condition. some dealers offer to register the vehicle for you for a fee. However, you can also do this yourself. If the location of the car is far away from your home, you can use a short-term license plate for the transfer, which is available at any registration office (regardless of residence). If, on the other hand, you do not have far to go to your competent licensing authority, you should go with the following documents best to go there directly:
- Only for registered vehicles: registration certificate part I (otherwise: deregistration certificate)
- registration certificate part II
- Last main inspection report
- identity card or passport
- Evb number (insurance cover note) for collection of vehicle tax
With the new license plates, finally go to the vehicle location and affix the plates there.
Tip: order your plates online in advance to save time at the registration office. After mounting, the journey can also begin directly.
What legal aspects must be taken into account?
Buying a car from a dealer offers an enormous advantage: according to the law, commercial dealers have to register the vehicle two years for material defects liabilities that already existed at the time of purchase. This warranty is obligatory for commercial sellers – unlike private sellers, it may not be contractually excluded. Only a reduction to one year is permissible, which is often used in practice.
If a defects within the first six months arises after the purchase, the so-called evidence facilitation in favor of the private purchaser. In this case, it is initially assumed that the defect was already present when the vehicle was handed over. The commercial seller must prove the opposite. After this period of time the reverse procedure applies: now the buyer is obliged to prove the existence of the defect at the time of handover, which is often difficult in practice.
Bottom line: report defects within the first six months of your vehicle purchase.
When examining warranty claims, a distinction must always be made between the terms "warranty" and "defect" "defect" and "wear and tear" a distinction must be made – because sellers are only liable for defects, not for normal, age-related wear and tear. Normal signs of use (e.g. B. scratches, dents) are not a defect in used cars. This distinction becomes more difficult in the case of wear parts. Here is always to ask whether the defect corresponds to the age and mileage of the vehicle. If this is the case, the seller is not liable. Particularly when larger sums of money are involved, an automotive expert should be consulted to assess the case.
Furthermore you should have the term "fraudulent misrepresentation" know. fraudulent intent occurs when a seller knows about a defect or expects the existence of a defect and conceals this from the buyer. especially in the case of major defects such as accident damage, the seller must even without explicit question a reference give. The problem is that the buyer must always provide full proof that a defect existed and that the seller knew about it.
What rights do you have in the event of a defect in a used vehicle??
If it is certain that there is a material defect or fraudulent misrepresentation, you have the following rights under the law two possibilities. You can choose between a rectification (i.e. a removal of the defect) and a replacement delivery (delivery of a defect-free vehicle) select. Since a replacement delivery for used cars is usually disproportionate in practice, the measures will usually amount to a rectification of the defect.
For each defect the buyer is entitled to seller two attempts to rectify defects to. If these measures fail, if they are unreasonable for the buyer or if the seller definitively refuses subsequent performance, you can demand a reduction in the purchase price or withdraw from the purchase of the car from the dealer. In the case of fraudulent misrepresentation, the withdrawal from the purchase contract or the reduction of the purchase price can be demanded immediately (without rectification).
Difference between liability for material defects and warranty
In contrast to liability for material defects, the warranty a voluntary benefit of the dealer. In particular, authorized dealers offer a used car warranty, which is either included in the purchase price or can be purchased additionally.
Important: the warranty has no influence on claims arising from the statutory liability for material defects. The difference is, however, that the warranty also covers defects that occur after the vehicle has been delivered.
In any case, check the warranty conditions under the following aspects:
- How long is the warranty valid??
- Is it linked to certain obligations of the buyer?
- Which vehicle components are covered?
Attention: tricks of unserious used car dealers
dubious car dealers try to evade their legal obligations with several tricks. In particular, the following procedures are observed again and again:
- wording "purchased as seen
- Sale as a hobbyist or scrap vehicle
- Appearance as private seller
- Sale "on behalf of the customer
With the wording "bought as seen" or "bought as seen", used car sellers have tried in the past to avoid any responsibility. However, corresponding passages are not permitted. Caution is also advised if in the contract the talk is of a hobbyist or scrap car. This is also an attempt to circumvent the legal obligation to provide a warranty for material defects.
Partly it can also be observed that commercial sellers present a contract in which suddenly of a private sale is spoken. It is then often stated that the sale would be from the private property of the dealer – of course under exclusion of warranty. Even in such cases you should refrain from the transaction.
Sometimes dealers also sell vehicles "on behalf of the customer", whereby the warranty is also excluded. This agency business is generally permissible and can also correspond to the truth. However, there are some tricks used to circumvent the legal liability for defects.
