The used car market is booming – and with it there are also increasing numbers of cases in which the buyer is not satisfied with the vehicle he has purchased. Hidden technical defects, rust – the list can be long. The ÖAMTC lists what to look out for when buying a used vehicle.
Purchase from private individuals: It is essential to have a purchase test done at a test center in order to avoid nasty surprises. If there is no time for this, a right of withdrawal can also be contractually agreed. This becomes important if the vehicle has serious defects that were not known at the time of purchase.
Buying a car on the Internet: It must be clarified in advance whether the provider will sell the vehicle himself or just broker it. The origin of the seller or the agent is essential in two respects: If the seller is not based in Austria, foreign law usually applies to contractual disputes. The warranty or guarantee also depends on this. In the case of foreign providers, it must also be specified in detail how the vehicle is handed over: should it be picked up or will it be delivered? Does the offer apply to Austrian buyers? Are there any additional costs?
Buy from a dealer: This method has an advantage: In the event of defects, the buyer has a contact person. A dealer must offer a six month warranty. If the dealer cannot prove that the vehicle was free of defects when it was handed over, he is obliged to improve it.
Import of a vehicle: Vehicles from other EU countries, regardless of whether they are new or used, must be entered in the approval database in Austria (costs: 180 euros) and the NoVA paid. The amount of the NoVA depends on the date of first registration and other factors such as CO2 emissions. In general, the following applies: the higher these values, the higher the tax. In the case of new vehicles, import sales tax of 20 percent of the purchase price is also due. When importing from non-EU countries, a duty of ten percent of the vehicle’s value must be paid. This tax makes buying a car in non-EU countries unprofitable in many cases.
Buying an electric car: The condition of the battery is decisive. Manufacturers give a guarantee of eight years or 160,000 kilometers. Until then, the battery must still have a capacity of at least 70 percent. The club and various workshops offer battery checks.
Source: Nachrichten
