Gloucestershire Trading Standards Service - Schools

WARNING This Car Could Kill U!

Is it a lovely motor or is it a liability? Is the engine as sweet as a nut or would you be nuts to buy it?

Cars are complicated pieces of equipment and most consumers have little or no knowledge of what to look for when buying one second-hand. Often it is only after buyers have parted with their hard-earned cash that problems come to light and they may then be faced with a hefty bill to put things right.

Each year we receive around 800 complaints from purchasers of used cars. Faulty second-hand cars are the second most complained about problem experienced by Gloucestershire residents. Younger car buyers can be particularly at risk when looking to buy a car on a very limited budget.

But help is at hand. As part of our commitment to consumer education we can arrange to visit schools, and other venues, with the Kill U Car. This is a hands on approach to helping young people buy their first car, aimed at 16 - 17 year olds.

What is it?

The Kill U Car is a standard older car, a typical first time buyer's purchase, which has been specially 'doctored' to introduce faults, some of which can be spotted on basic examination and others which can be found by asking a few questions or making some enquiries.

The session does not involve car mechanics or an in-depth knowledge of car engines. We will not be demonstrating how to change the oil! It seeks more to raise awareness of the problems to look out for and where to go for advice.

The main problems with purchasing cars can be split into three areas which are covered:

the product itself
the price, and
making sense of the paperwork.

Pupils are invited to look over the car which has various prompt cards attached to it. They may complete a quiz to identify what may be wrong with the car. We encourage discussion of the kind of faults to look out for that could easily be found and those which could be associated with a vehicle, as well as the descriptions and advertising that are commonly used with second-hand cars. There is also an opportunity to look at the paperwork involved, and advice on how best to make sense of it.

Added to this is a basic discussion about consumer rights. What to do when things go wrong and where to go for help and advice.

Additional Information

Sessions last 45 minutes to 1 hour
Since this is an outside activity we strongly recommend that sessions are booked in the warmer months (April – September)
Because of the work involved in transporting the car to each school, we would require sessions to be booked in blocks of half or full days
Contact Atique Miah