“CASE LAB” OF THE WEEK: A CAR FROM HELL!

“CASE LAB” OF THE WEEK: A CAR FROM HELL!

Our client Mrs F.K contacted our firm for help recently. She was in great distress, because she bought a second hand car (VOLVO) in La Marina (Alicante), only to find out after the purchase that the car was in a terrible condition. She was desperate because since she bought the car, it’s been under permanent repairs in a workshop. The seller is not answering our client’s phone calls and e-mails.

You need to be very careful when buying a resale car in Spain. Some unreliable sellers will use all sorts of “publicity tricks” to seduce you into buying a “fashion car”. To that end, they will promise an excellent product together with an outstanding customer service. Unfortunately that is far from the truth in many occasions. Be very careful because if you are careless, you might end up being ripped off and with a useless garbage car!
Therefore, please find below some useful tips that will greatly help you when buying a car in Spain:

1) Always make sure that the car has passed the ITV and preferably request the seller to bring the car to the workshop of your trust, for a preliminary thorough engine chek.
2) Request for a “presupuesto” (in Spanish) or quote, before paying any money
3) Always double check that everything is legal, take your time to review the paperwork, like the ITV, certificate from the “trafico office” stating who is the real owner of the car, latest tax receipt duly paid through the SUMA, etc
4) Sign a purchase contract or agreement and after paying the car, do not forget to ask for a formal invoice! (our client was never given any invoice, just a receipt). Remember that at the event of a problem, the invoice acts as your guarantee document as it will allow you to claim your legitimate rights as European Consumer against the seller.

Beware!! Many unreliable sellers import the cars and fraudulently will manipulate the speed meter or the engine. If you detect any serious problems, do not buy it! However, for minor problems, negotiating a better deal is always an option!.
Finally, Should the seller might refuse to give you the INVOICE or to honour the guarantee,- like in the case of Mrs F.K- or in case you might have any dispute with the seller or workshop, please do not hesitate to contact us, just make sure you bookmark this page, visit our website www.ricorabogados.com and like the Facebook link “https://www.facebook.com/ricorabogados”.
Also, please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail at ricorsolicitors@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you very much and we look forward to helping you!

Mr Oscar Ricor
“NON-PRACTISING ENGLISH SOLICITOR IN ENGLAND AND WALES”, under the “Solicitors Regulation Authority” (SRA) SRA number 519196 and practicing Spanish Solicitor&Abogado.