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During and after the pandemic, the industry couldn’t deliver new cars fast enough. There was such an explosion in second-hand cars. This has also attracted the attention of fraudsters, as a recent case heard in the Winterthur regional court shows.
A second-hand dealer bought a seriously defective SUV from the South Korean brand Ssangyong for less than 100 francs. The frame of the vehicle was completely rusted and in danger of breaking; then neither braking nor steering would be possible.
Despite its dilapidated condition, the 30-year-old dealer sold the car to a pensioner for 11,900 francs. He claimed the vehicle was shown and was safe to use. The unsuspecting pensioner drove nearly 5,000 kilometers with his rust gazebo between April and September 2019 before the fraud was uncovered. In the second incident, the seller deceived traffic inspectors and then sold a car to a woman.
This article was first published on the paid service of handelszeitung.ch. Blick+ users have exclusive access as part of their subscription. You can find more exciting articles at www.handelszeitung.ch.
This article was first published on the paid service of handelszeitung.ch. Blick+ users have exclusive access as part of their subscription. You can find more exciting articles at www.handelszeitung.ch.
The victims were lucky in two respects: No one was harmed by the crashed vehicles and the fraud was discovered. The second-hand dealer was convicted by the regional court in Winterthur. The defrauded people got their money back from him.
To avoid such a situation, you should consider a few things when buying a second-hand car in the first place:
one
Nothing works without seeing it and test driving it. You can also check the service booklet and mileage. Even “fresh from MFK” is not an indicator of quality; It just means that the car met the legal minimum requirements during a recent motor vehicle inspection.
Covert or hidden defects are difficult to detect, especially for ordinary people. So it’s worth checking the car more closely before buying. TCS offers comprehensive vehicle testing. Engine and transmission, brakes, wheels and electronics are checked. The test is available at prices starting from 120 francs for members and 190 francs for non-members.
2
A written purchase contract is invaluable. It helps avoid misunderstandings and disagreements. Important parameters such as known defects and mileage should be recorded in the contract. State in writing any special assurances the seller has given you. The warranty is also important: the older and cheaper the vehicle, the more likely dealers will exclude the warranty. Otherwise, according to the law, you must be responsible for two years for defects that were present at the time of delivery but unknown to the buyer. Buyers should review the terms and conditions carefully: Are there any exceptions? Which claims are valid?
3
Vehicles and the sales operation must make a good impression, be well-maintained and properly presented. And: Does the retailer have an up-to-date and informative website?
4
Dealers who are members of the Automobile Trade Association (AGVS) must meet certain minimum standards. The AGVS code of honor specifies, for example, how one should behave towards customers.
5
When buying a second-hand car, it is an advantage to pay directly in cash or via a payment app when you pick up the vehicle. This creates clear relationships.
Source :Blick
I’m Tim David and I work as an author for 24 Instant News, covering the Market section. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, my mission is to provide accurate, timely and insightful news coverage that helps our readers stay informed about the latest trends in the market. My writing style is focused on making complex economic topics easy to understand for everyone.
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