How should a contract be worded for the purchase of a private second hand car?

How should a contract be worded for the purchase of a private second hand car and what details should be included?

Asked on 15 December 2018 by R Peggie

Answered by Honest John

If buying the car you want the contract to state that there are no known faults, or to list all of the known faults, so that if something subsequently fails you have the basis of a Small Claims action for Breach of Contract. If selling the car, do not use the words "in good condition" or "no known faults" if there are any known faults. Just write: "as inspected, tested and driven by the purchaser to the purchaser's satisfaction on the day."

Tags: buying selling used cars private sellers contracts

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

Similar questions

Breakdown after private sale - are we responsible?

As a private seller I sold our 13 year old Land Rover to a dealer after a telephone call giving a description of the vehicle condition. A price was agreed. A driver came to pick it up in exchange for...

Is it illegal for trade sellers to pretend that they're private sellers to shift more cars?

What's the legal position over a car advertised as a private sale, but which appears to be from a trader? There's a car advertised on the local Gumtree as a private sale, but on closer inspection the same...

I'm buying a used car privately - what's the safest way to pay?

I've agreed a price with a private seller for a car I want to buy and am happy to proceed with the sale. They've asked me to pay by bank transfer and I can collect as soon as it's cleared. As the amount...