No protection for anyone who buys car in private sale, EU consumer centre warns

The European Consumer Centre is warning people that they have no legal protection if they purchase a vehicle in a private transaction.

A private seller is not registered as a business or a sole trader, so a range of protections do not apply.

The centre said more and more people were purchasing cars privately, but found they had no legal comeback if something goes wrong.

Grace Duffy of the European Consumer Centre office in Dublin said it was always best to get a description specification in writing before purchasing a car in a private deal, in the event a deal goes sour and it becomes becessary to take a case further.