European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 23, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                , x. Of x closer look 8s a pm of in a passer by stops to read advice posted on a Van in Newmarket England that is carrying a travelling exhibit on common problems faced by used car buyers in Britain. Trouble ahead for used car buyers in . By . . Bureau buyer beware is the name of the game when purchasing a used car in Britain. The rights of buyers under . Law Are different than they Are in America said Tim j. Root of the Suffolk county Council trading standards office in Bury St. Edmunds. If you re going to buy a car think before you do it know where you stand in  Root s office received More than 500 complaints last year related to the Purchase of used vehicles. About 1 5 percent of the complaints came from. Americans stationed at Raf Mildenhall and Raf Lakenheath said Root As he explained a travelling exhibit on buying used cars. The exhibit stopped near Mildenhall and at Lakenheath earlier this month. Root said that Many americans particularly new arrivals Aren t aware that cars in the ., new or used Cost More than they do in America. The Price for a reliable car in the states will not buy its equivalent in the ., he said. Many of the complaints Root s office receives from americans Are Over How quickly vehicles purchased for about 500 pounds around $830 break Down. In the ., a 500 Pound car is equal in value to an american car that costs about $41 5, Root  vehicles can be bought at an auction but Root said there Are no wednesday november 23,1994?. Legal protections for purchasers even if the vehicles Are defective or stolen. Auctioned vehicles generally Are sold As seen and test drives Are rarely allowed prior to bidding. Used vehicles bought from private individuals Are considered better buys even though these sales offer buyers Only limited Protection if something goes r Wron Root said. There is no Protection for the buyer if the purchased vehicle was previously stolen private Sellers can be held accountable if they misrepresent the age of a car or if the car is not roadworthy at the time of Sale. But the Burden of proof and prosecution lies with the buyer and private Sellers cannot be held responsible if a roadworthy car Breaks Down shortly after a Sale. We can t sue for you Root said. We can Tell you where you stand in Law and what your Odds of winning.  Xiv " because . Laws Are More stringent for dealers than for private Sellers some dealers have been. Known to advertise vehicles in newspapers posing As private Sellers Root said. Buyers should be wary of different vehicle ads using the same phone number he said. There Are two types of used car dealers in the . Those who also sell a particular make of new car and those who sell strictly used cars. Purchasing a vehicle from a dealer is the most expensive option but it affords a buyer additional rights under the Law Root said. These vehicles should be of Merchantable Quality and the mileage and past ownership should be the stars and stripes As described by the dealer. The vehicle should be roadworthy at the time of sate and Able to get the buyer from Point a to Point b safety he said. If any of these conditions Are broken a buyer May be entitled to a refund or repair. Also if dealers misrepresent a car s history they can be prosecuted by the trading standards office. Many dealers offer limited warranties on used  guarantees should be obtained in writing and read carefully he said. All vehicles Over 3 years old must pass an annual inspection to certify the vehicle s safety. However a ministry of transport certificate Only guarantees that the vehicle was Safe on the Day it was tested it does t address the condition of such things As the engine or Gearbox. These certificates also cart be bogus. If in doubt prospective buyers should Contact police with the certificate number to determine whether the certificate is stolen Root said. Stolen vehicles also present a problem for prospective buyers who usually cannot recoup losses on such purchases. All legitimate Sellers should be Able to produce a vehicle registration document issued by the British vehicle licensing authority Root said. Ail information on the document should be checked against the vehicle such As the identification and engine number. The Best advice for american servicemen is if in doubt about the car walk away Root said. It s better to lose the Purchase than lose your  How to steer Clear of potential hazards purchasing stolen or non roadworthy vehicles is a big problem in the United kingdom but there Are Steps that americans can take to protect themselves from becoming victims. According to brochures from the Manchester England police that were distributed by the Suffolk county Council trading standards office and its senior trading standards officer Tim j. Root prospective used car buyers can help themselves by doing the following always Road test a car preferably during the Day. However make sure you Are property insured by your insurance company. Car insurance in the United kingdom covers Drivers not cars. Pay to have the car examined by a or Rao which Are Independent automobile dubs or by a Mechanic. If the seller balks at such an exam walk away from the Sale. Check registration documents against the engine and Chassis numbers on the vehicle. I there were any previous owners take Down their names and addresses and Contact  the current owner has not had the car very Long be suspicious. Ask to see the motor of transport certificate. Take Down the number and verify with police that the certificate has not been stolen. Also ask to see the seller insurance certificate. Check numbers on the odometer. If the numbers Don t line up property the mileage might have been altered. However alterations Are not always visible. Consider hiring an Independent firm to run a background Check on the vehicle. Such a Check will uncover previous accidents and outstanding Loans. Be wary of car ads that list Mobile phone. Numbers or numbers that can be called Only Between specific hours. The former could be difficult to Trace and the latter could be a phone Booth.  .,.- a ,. Always arrange to see a car at someone s Home and satisfy yourself that it is the Sellers Home. Also determine whether the seller is familiar with the car s operation. If there Are new License plates or additional holes around the plates the car might have been stolen. Most plates and rear car windows Bear the name of the Dealership that originally sold the vehicle. If the car s windows and headlights have been engraved with identification numbers verify that All the numbers match. Also Check whether any areas of the Glass have been scratched off or whether window stickers Are hiding identification numbers. Check the registration plate inside the Hood to verify that the numbers match the registration document that the numbers have not been altered and that the plate has not been moved or removed. Get All guarantees and warranties in writing. Nancy a Tomer roof 19