This is a topic that arises often and it requires some due diligence before any sale to give you the best chance of recouping any losses for vehicle damage after sale.
Certain aspects of a vehicle are more prone to damage than others, such as plastic trims or splitters, so it is imperative you have evidence of these parts being undamaged before selling the vehicle. Even if you know something has been damaged, unless you can prove it, you’re unlikely to claim any deduction in value if the vehicle is being rejected.
This is especially so for any deals where finance is involved. Lenders will require pre-sale photographs of the vehicle, photographs of the damage present now, and reasonable quotations for the vehicle to be returned to the condition it was sold in. It should be noted that this is only to rectify damage that was not present at the point of purchase, not a free-for-all to get the consumer to pay for the vehicle to be in better condition than when sold.
This may take some extra time when preparing a vehicle, but it could save you thousands in the long run if you get all your ducks in a row before anyone else gets involved.
If you’re facing a post-sale damage dispute or need help setting up a robust pre-sale photo process, our legal team at Lawgistics can guide you through it via our telephone helpline and casework service.
Octane Finance is the broker of choice for new and used car dealers nationwide. With our uncompromising service levels and our genuine and professional approach, you and your customers can trust us to deliver.
