The FINANCIAL — The AA is supporting Trading Standards Institute (TSI) and Citizens Advice Bureau at the start of a month-long campaign to help people avoid the pitfalls of buying used cars.
The initiative is urging people buying a used car to ‘check it don’t regret it’ by assessing whether it is safe, legal and that it is all that it appears to be. This comes at a time when according to the AA, more than a quarter of drivers (27%) plan to buy a used car over the next 12 months compared with just 6% opting for a new one.
According AA Cars, the used car buying website, more than a third (37%) believe that buying a used car is ‘risky’.
In order, their biggest fears include buying a car that is: mechanically unreliable, previously written off, stolen, subject to outstanding finance, showing a false mileage.
David Bruce, director of AA Cars, says that there is no room for complacency when buying a used car.
“I fully support this campaign. Too many people buy a used car with their heart rather than their head.
“A second-hand car that is not up to scratch and is littered with faults can be a danger to the driver and other road users.”
AA Cars de-risks the car buying process as every car sold is subject to a free, 26-point car history check that includes whether it has a hidden history such as a change of identity, outstanding finance, a false mileage reading or has at some time been written off.
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