Many drivers face technical issues after purchasing a car and are unable to return the vehicle. As a result, the buyer is forced to repair the car at their own expense.
Experts note that these cases are particularly common in the used car market, where the risk of purchasing a problematic vehicle is much higher.
“Certain markets are dominated by so-called sellers, though they are hard to call honest entrepreneurs. They offer cars with technical issues, cleverly disguising defects. Through manipulative conversations, they mislead the client, convince them to buy, take money upfront, prepare the power of attorney, and when problems emerge with the car a few days later, they refuse to cooperate,” says auto expert Sabukhi Allahverdiyev.
According to him, it’s important to remember that the power of attorney is valid for 14 days.
“If defects are discovered and you want to return the car, you must contact the court or enforcement department within these 14 days. You have three months to file a full claim. Only by officially submitting a complaint can you expect a refund,” he noted.
The expert emphasizes that most sellers categorically refuse to return a faulty car or compensate for repair costs. Therefore, when purchasing a car, buyers should pay attention to several important factors.
“It’s essential to thoroughly check the car’s major systems. Excessive oil consumption, issues with the gearbox, brake system malfunctions are just the tip of the iceberg of potential problems. Special attention should be paid to modern cars with hybrid systems, battery packs, ABS, and inverter systems. All of these require professional diagnostics before purchasing,” Allahverdiyev stresses.
It’s important to note that the law does not specify a special time frame for returning defective goods. The main thing is that as soon as the buyer identifies defects, they must immediately contact the seller with an official complaint. If the seller ignores the complaint or refuses to resolve the issue, the buyer must turn to the court. During the proceedings, both parties must prove their claims. If the plaintiff provides indisputable evidence that the product was defective at the time of purchase, the court will recognize the claims as valid and restore the buyer’s rights.
Interestingly, such problems sometimes occur even when purchasing new cars from official dealerships. In such cases, buyers need to carefully review the contract signed with the dealership.
Experts warn that some documents contain clauses under which the warranty on the engine and transmission can later be voided under certain circumstances. Therefore, when purchasing a new car with zero mileage, it is strongly recommended to perform all maintenance exclusively at authorized service centers to maintain warranty obligations.
