If you are selling your car, and it has got some scuffs, chips and dents, should you fix it before selling?
This is a valid and often-asked question. According to the car buyers at getWorth, it is not worth it.
Most buyers will do an inspection and factor the condition into the price they pay. Then the dealer will bring the car up to showroom condition. But they have relationships and contacts, and can normally get the work done at a lower price.
So you might actually spend more on repairs than the difference it would make to the price, plus you have to go through the trouble and inconvenience.
Quality is also a factor – the worst of all would be if your repairer does a poor job and the dealer has to repeat the work.
If your car is out of plan, should you keep servicing it?
Absolutely yes, according to the people at getWorth. Services are there to keep your car running smoothly. If you miss them, you risk reducing the mechanical reliability of your car. For the same reason, it can also affect the price you get for your car when you sell it.
If you are driving very little mileage and you miss an annual service, make sure you still hit your mileage services (normally every 10 000 to 15 000km).
What can you do if you buy a car and you don’t like it?
Normally you are stuck. If you financed the car, you might be able to use the National Credit Act’s seven-day cooling-off period, but the fine print makes this a long shot.
Or you could buy from a dealer that offers a seven-day money back guarantee.
getSeven is a grace period offered to car buyers that allows them to drive and live with the car they have purchased for seven days or 700km (whichever comes first). If you are not satisfied with the car, you can return it for a refund, no questions asked (however, obviously certain terms and conditions apply, so request a copy of the policy if you need more detail). The getSeven system is the first of its kind in South Africa.
Talk is cheap and getWorth believes that getSeven shows a genuine commitment to standing behind the cars it sells. The company has seen over the last 12-months on average about 15 cars getting returned within the seven-day period.
If something goes wrong with your car after you bought it, what legal protection do you have?
If you buy from a dealer, the consumer protection act gives some protection, but it is legally debated and difficult to apply in practice. Cars are complex machines and used cars are naturally higher risk than new cars. One also needs to distinguish between consumable and “permanent” components. It is not straightforward.
Your best way forward is to buy from a dealer with a clear and solid aftersales policy. The first month is the most important – if there was something wrong at the time of purchase, it normally shows up soon. It is also recommended to take out an extended warranty to provide peace of mind if things go wrong.
Source: MotorPress
