Faulty vehicles for sale

New figures by NRMA Motoring & Services show an alarmingly high number of faulty vehicles are being sold in NSW used car yards, with one in 10 requiring repairs of more than $2000.

Based on an analysis of 100 pre-purchase NRMA Vehicle Inspections on cars from various car yards across NSW, all vehicles were found to have had at least one fault with the average cost of repairs for each car being $522.24.

The analysis also found that;

• Almost 60 per cent of cars (57 per cent) had repair costs of $500 and over
• Almost 30 per cent  (29 per cent) had repair costs of $1,000 and over
• More than one in 10 (11 per cent) had costs over $2,000
• One car needed repairs totaling $5,000.

NRMA Motoring & Services´ Head of Vehicle Inspections, Damon Tudor, said there was little difference between the likelihood of faults in cars being sold privately or through a used car dealer.

?Faults in used cars are common and NSW motorists could be setting themselves up for a real personal and financial hit if they do not have independent inspections undertaken prior to purchase,? Mr Tudor said. 

Mr Tudor said NRMA Vehicle Inspections cost only $199 for NRMA members and $239 for non-members for most vehicles. NRMA Vehicle Inspections can be booked by calling 13 11 22.

?Some of the faults found in these used vehicles would not be covered by the used car warranty, meaning the buyer could incur unnecessary costs and potential safety risks.?

Mr Tudor said that most dealers were honest and it was unlikely that they were intentionally selling a faulty vehicle, but there are still dealers who are not acting fairly.

?From our experience, 15 to 20 percent of dealers will try to discourage people from having their vehicle independently inspected prior to purchase,? Mr Tudor said.

?But the majority of dealers do welcome an inspection and some have even signed up to NRMA Motoring & Services´ Approved Dealer program, which requires an NRMA inspection to be undertaken prior to the car being placed on the yard.

?The message is clear - if you are purchasing a vehicle, no matter from a dealer, private sale, mates or family member, take all the checks required ? including an independent inspection - or expect problems.

?It really is a situation of buyer beware.?