Is there consumer protection at a car auction?
Tallboy asked:
I recently went to a car auction and before business began the auctioneer read off a load of information. One of the points he pressed most firmly was the fact that the vehicles came with no warranty or guarantee whatsoever. Is he correct? Is there really no consumer protection at car auctions, and if so why are they unique in this way?
I recently went to a car auction and before business began the auctioneer read off a load of information. One of the points he pressed most firmly was the fact that the vehicles came with no warranty or guarantee whatsoever. Is he correct? Is there really no consumer protection at car auctions, and if so why are they unique in this way?
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The auctioneer is correct. The only warranty will be the manufacturer’s warranty (if applicable). Otherwise an auction is just like a private sale…the car is sold “AS-IS”.
dlrs only/they are supposed to know what they are doing//you will end up like the lamb
No the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply to car auctions. Some auctions may describe the car as having no major mechanical faults (i.e. engine/gearbox) and give buyers an hour to test drive but his is not required by law.
SOLD AS SEEN means exactly that
They aren’t unique. You take the same chances buying a used car from a dealer or private party.
The auto auction is just a venue to sell a lot of vehicles quickly before an audience of people (usually wholesale buyers). The auction doesn’t have anything to do with the vehicles other than run them across the auction block.
It is simply because all cars at an auction are considered trade sales. Therefore you buy under trade rules, first one is there is no warranty. Incidentally the same applies to ebay auctions if worded properly.
Why do you think auction cars are so much cheaper!
All used car sales, be it auction, dealer or private party, are AS IS. There is no warranty or guarantee of any kind unless the seller puts it in writing.
You can buy a car off Craigslist and have the exact same protections this auction has – none. Once ink is on paper you own the car and its problems.
Yes, there is no protection for cars sold at auction (although you might have a case if the car was described wrongly, eg. says it runs but doesnt).
However, you DO have protection if you buy a car from a dealer and are protected by the sale of goods act 1979, in that a car must be fit for purpose, and any fault which it has not pointed out at time of sale should be fixed if it occurs in a reasonable time period, but thats complex and involves small claims court