An explanatory brochure on the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act is available from the European Consumer Centre. Guarantees and warranties protect the consumer, but they are an addition to your statutory rights. Keep your receipt and other documentation in a safe place as this is your proof of purchase. All vehicles over eight years old must be tested at government approved test centres every two years, from January 2000. Buying on credit Shop around the financial institutions for the best deal.
Some garages have finance arrangements.
Read your contract carefully. Establish if you are signing a loan agreement, a lease agreement or a hire purchase agreement. In a hire-purchase agreement ownership of the car passes to the purchaser when the terms of the agreement have been complied with. On the other hand consumer hire agreements are essentially leasing agreements where the customer is technically only renting the goods. There may be a cooling-off period which enables you to withdraw from an agreement within ten days of receiving the contract.