Know your rights and not end buying a lemon for a car
When we buy a new car we go to the temple for the priest to bless it and he does the pooja using four lemons under every wheel as he asks us to crush them. It is a well known exercise that most of us do for a safe driving and a trouble free car. But when some of us cannot afford a new car we go for a used car option which can at times turn out to be a lemon.
As defined by the web dictionary, “A lemon is a car, often new, that is found to be defective only after it has been bought. Any vehicle with numerous, severe issues can be termed a “lemon,” and, by extension, any product with flaws too great or severe to serve its purpose can be described as a “lemon.”
It is better to be careful than end up with a lemon for a used car which can cause a lot of hassles and money to repair and us not knowing our rights when caught in such a situation.
Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe is calling on consumers from diverse backgrounds to take advantage of the extensive information available from NSW Fair Trading before buying a used car.
“New migrants and people from non-English speaking backgrounds can face problems when undertaking a major purchase such as a car because of a lack of understanding of their consumer rights,” Mr Stowe said. “When things go wrong they may not know where to seek help or may be reluctant to lodge a complaint.
“Many people worry they’ve picked a lemon when buying a used car but the wealth of information available through Fair Trading will equip all consumers with the knowledge to make the right purchasing decisions.”
Mr Stowe recommended Fair Trading’s Buying a used car brochure, which is published in seven languages ”“ Arabic, Chinese, Dinka, English, Farsi, Tamil and Vietnamese.
“This brochure has detailed information, including advice on the different rights and responsibilities consumers may have when buying a car privately, buying from a licensed dealer, buying at auction or buying from a friend,” he said.
Fair Trading also has a free app for smart phones and tablets, called My next car.
The My next car app allows users to store photos and details of cars they are considering buying, includes an inspection check list and can compare cars side-by-side.
The app can also order a debt check on a vehicle and calculate loan repayments.
“This app is a ”˜must have’ tool for anyone considering buying a used car,” Mr Stowe said. “It empowers consumers by providing vital information that can help them make informed purchases.”
The My next car app is available from the Fair Trading website: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
The Buying a used car brochure can be downloaded here:
http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/biz_res/ftweb/pdfs/About_us/Publications/FT409_Buying_a_used_car.pdf
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