Used Cars in Guernsey

Buying a cheap, used car has undoubtedly become a more attractive option for people struggling to make ends meet in the current climate, but the recession has also led the used car market to become even more risky than before, with scams such as fake documents and car cloning becoming more prevalent than before. Therefore buyers need to be more careful than ever when buying a cheap car. Car cloning means reselling a stolen car after swapping the VIN and number plates with those of a car of similar colour and model. If you buy a stolen car, which has been cloned, it can be confiscated by the police and returned to the rightful owner, and you will not be entitled to compensation or a replacement. In order to try to avoid accidentally buying a cloned car, you should insist on seeing and thoroughly examining, the VC5 – or vehicle registration form. The problem for those looking to buy a used car is that it is relatively easy to steal or forge documentation; forged documents c...

This option is normally cheaper than buying from a dealer, however it is also carries more risks. You have fewer legal rights if you buy privately. The car must be ‘as described’ but that’s all. If a private seller lies about the condition of a car, you can sue for your losses - if you can find the seller. Bear in mind that cars which have been stolen or used as security for a loan or hire agreement and actually belong to the finance company, cannot be ‘sold’ any other way. Some dealers pretend to be private sellers to avoid their legal obligations and to get rid of faulty or over priced cars. They may advertise in local newspapers and shop windows. Signs to look out for include: Adverts which give a mobile phone number or specify a time to call. The same phone number appearing in several ads. A seller asking 'which one? when you call about the ‘car for sale’. A seller wanting to bring the car to you or meet you somewhere, rather than you going to their home. Buying...

This is the safest option as you get the maximum protection of the law. However, not all dealers are as trustworthy as we would like, so look for an established firm with a good reputation.   Many dealers belong to trade associations which subscribe to a code of practice supported by the Office of Fair Trading.   Look for a vehicle which has been part-inspected by the AA or the RAC and ask to see the report. Reports prepared for dealers are not be as detailed as ones you can arrange and pay for yourself*, but will provide useful information. Alternatively, choose a dealer with a quality checking scheme, such as Ford Direct, Rover Approved or Vauxhall's Network Q. When buying from a Guernsey used car dealer, the law says that a car must be: A) of satisfactory quality - it must meet a reasonably acceptable standard, taking into account the description, cost and any other relevant information. This covers areas like, the appearance and finish of the car, its safety and durability...