Buying a pre-owned car? How not to get scammed

South African pre-owned car buyers are getting scammed into buying junk because they’re not doing their homework, a government agency warns. The Gauteng Office of Consumer Affairs (GOCA) says it has received numerous complaints about pre-owned vehicles.

GOCA released a statement on Wednesday 21 September expressing concern about the growing number of complaints about pre-owned vehicles. Many buyers have found themselves stuck with cars in bad shape after failing to inspect the conditions of the car before buying them.

“Buying a second-hand car is cost-effective and can offer you the best value for your money. However, the value you get from the car depends on many factors, such as the condition of the vehicle, its market value and service history,” says Milly Viljoen, the agency’s Director for Consumer Education, Awareness and Stakeholder Relations.

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Make a check-list before you start shopping for pre-owned vehicles

Viljoen advises buyers to make the tough decisions before setting foot on a showroom floor. What model are you looking for? What purpose will the vehicle be used for? What vehicles suits my lifestyle? What is your budget? These are the questions you should be able to answer before speaking to a car salesman.

“Once you have decided, make sure that you request a pre-agreement statement and quotation from car dealerships to compare costs such as delivery fee, roadworthy certificate fees, license and registration fees, and other additional fees.,” says Viljoen.

“Once you have decided, make sure that you request a pre-agreement statement and quotation from car dealerships to compare costs such as delivery fee, roadworthy certificate fees, license and registration fees, and other additional fees.”

Milly Viljoen, GOCA Director for Consumer Education, Awareness and Stakeholder Relations.

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Watch who you’re buying your pre-owned vehicle from

GOCA warns consumers to buy strictly buy from reputable dealerships that comply with the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). You can check this with the Motor Industry Ombudsman of South Africa (MIOSA). Gauteng could be a hot-spot for non-compliant, unregistered dealerships, especially in Johannesburg South, according to a report by MIOSA.

Make sure the pre-owned vehicle is roadworthy

The agency advises buyers to Inspect the condition of the engine. “The engine is the most essential part that every buyer must check before buying a used car. It plays an essential role in the running and overall performance of a vehicle,” says Viljoen. This is what to check in the engine:

Inspect the condition of the engine. The engine is the most essential part that every buyer must check before buying a used car. It plays an essential role in the running and overall performance of a vehicle. Check the following:

Ø Starting problems. Delay in starting of the engine is a common problem in used cars.

Ø Check for head gasket and oil leaks,

Ø The car has a noticeable power loss.

Ø The acceleration of the car seems slow and noisy.

Ø The car doesn’t easily maintain high speed.

Ø There is smoke coming from the exhaust.

Ø There is an engine fault light on the dashboard.

Additionally you should check the vehicles odometer reading. Cars with a high mileage should generally be avoided.

Know and protect your rights as a consumer

Ask for a Second-Hand Goods Act certificate, GOCA urges. If the used car dealership you’ve approached doesn’t have a Second-Hand Goods Act certificate, run. The certificate has to be openly displayed, and valid for the current 5-year period. If you still smell a rat, check with the local police station to confirm the validity or the renewal interval of the certificate.

Consumers must also insist on a current Roadworthy certificate, which is valid for 60 days and inspect the vehicle’s service history. The vehicle must have been maintained by a legitimate service center and its handbook stamped by an authorised workshop.

Reading and understanding all the terms and conditions before signing any sale agreement is also key. You can lodge a complaint if you are not satisfied with products and services received. First complain to the car dealership manager and if the matter is not resolved, lodge a complaint to MIOSA at info@miosa.co.za.

·Gauteng drivers can also lodged a complaint to GOCA at 011 355 8006 or at consumer@gauteng.gov.za.