ADVICE
Second-hand, but not second best
When buying second hand, if you have any doubts, walk away
The second-hand car industry has a poor reputation — and it’s mostly undeserved, says Jeff Osborne, head of Gumtree Automotive. "Dealerships (even ones that deal solely in second-hand cars) are subject to the Consumer Protection Act, which has gone a long way to legitimise and improve the second-hand trade," he says. "The private market is not governed, but consumers are becoming savvier when it comes to buying second-hand, supported by tools such as online price checkers and even third-party facilitators that can assist with transactions and financing." While there are hundreds of thousands of second-hand cars on the market, Osborne cautions that there are simple warning signs that could break a deal before it is made. "Sloppy bodywork and patching is a red flag because it could indicate undeclared accident damage — and even if declared, DIY patchwork tells me that the owner did not attend to the damage properly," says Osborne. "Rust is less of a concern on much older cars, as long...
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