John Herriman, Chief Executive at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) highlighted the scale of the problem and warned online sales were just as concerning.
He said: “The data presented as part of this national campaign really highlights that consumers are often left out of pocket when purchasing a used car.
“The complex and ever-changing used car landscape means consumers are left confused and without the knowledge and information needed to make a well-informed purchasing decision.
“Consumers are rightfully wary of the ‘Del Boy’ type car traders, but in reality, there is just as much harm and bad practice lurking behind used car adverts on online platforms, such as Facebook.
“Car clocking is still an ongoing issue, and cars are being sold with the mileage being adjusted and not declared at the time of sale – this is an offence and Trading Standards will take action when necessary.”
The data from Citizens Advice revealed that more than one in four buyers (30 percent) found the car they had bought was faulty.
Meanwhile, 27 percent found damage they were not told about on closer inspection when back at home.
John has urged road users to change their tactics while buying second-hand vehicles to avoid online portals where unscrupulous sellers could flourish.
“For peace of mind, we would encourage consumers to purchase a used car from a garage that is a member of the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS).
“These garages adhere to a robust code of practice that sets them above and beyond other car traders.
“In the event that a problem does arise, all garages in the CCAS family offer free Alternative Dispute Resolution to help resolve the issue quickly and effectively.”
