Used cars - prepurchase considerations
(for England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
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You should spend time deciding which car is going to suit your requirements, and set a realistic budget. A car bought from a trader is likely to cost more than buying privately but there can be benefits. If things go wrong, you are legally entitled to expect that the car be of satisfactory quality, fit for its purpose, as described and roadworthy. If you buy privately, you will have fewer legal rights if things go wrong. If you purchase solely over a distance (eg internet sale) and there is no face-to-face contact then you may be entitled to a seven day cooling-off period.
There are a number of different options of how to buy the vehicle, eg cash/hire purchase which you should be familiar with. There are also a number of things to check before you buy such as bodywork, engine, paperwork, etc.
