Extended warranty for second-hand cars in Spain
The new warranty periods aim to protect drivers in Spain against ‘hidden vices’
Royal Decree-Law 7/2021 has now come into force in Spain and, closely following the European Union directives on consumer protection, means that drivers who buy second-hand cars can enjoy an extended warranty period.
Before the change, vehicles purchased privately in Spain came under a maximum guarantee period of six months; this can now be extended for up to a year as long as the contract doesn’t specify otherwise. However, it’s important to note that there is no obligation for private sellers to guarantee this minimum.
In the case of dealerships, a minimum of one year warranty is required by law, and this period can be extended for up to 24 months.
During the stipulated one or two year timeframe, the seller will be responsible for any repairs that arise from so-called hidden vices – faults that develop after the vehicle was purchased and weren’t expressly listed in the contract.
Marco Conde, CEO of Motoreto, explains that before the new Guarantee Law of the European Union came into force, if a breakdown occurred during the warranty period, the buyer would have to somehow prove that it had been caused by a problem that was present before the purchase of the vehicle. Now, during the 24-month warranty period in the case of dealerships, “vendors will be responsible for any failure that occurs, as long as it was not previously reflected in the contract”.
While the decree could be seen as good news for buyers who would otherwise have to fork out for costly repairs on top of the purchase of the vehicle, the new rule is expected to bump up the price of second-hand cars by between 10% and 20% as dealers implement a buffer to protect themselves against possible claims.
Image: Archive
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