Warranties when buying a car
In most cases, when you buy a car from a licensed motor dealer or at auction in Queensland, you are entitled to a warranty. There are different types of warranties—the age and kind of vehicle determine the type of warranty. If you are planning to buy a car (new or used), you should know about the warranty that may apply.
Buying a new car
When you buy a new car, the seller must give you a copy of the manufacturer's warranty.
Make sure you study the warranty conditions carefully. If you do not understand anything—ask the seller to explain it.
If you buy a new car, you should get a qualified mechanic (who does not have anything to do with the seller who sold you the car) to do a full inspection before your warranty runs out. The mechanic can point out any problems while your car is still under warranty—saving you money later.
Buying a used car
In most cases, when you buy a used (or second-hand) car from a licensed motor dealer or at auction, you have the right to a warranty at no extra cost.
If you buy a car privately (directly from the previous owner) you will not get a warranty.
A warranty will protect you from losing money if the vehicle is faulty.
Warranty types
There are 2 types of statutory warranties that apply to used vehicles.
Class A warranties
You are entitled to a class A warranty if the car you are buying has driven less than 160,000km, or is less than 10 years old.
A class A warranty covers the car for 3 months or 5000km after you buy it (whichever comes first).
Class B warranties
You are entitled to a class B warranty if the car you are buying has driven more than 160,000km, or is more than 10 years old.
A class B warranty covers the car for 1 month or 1000km after you buy it (whichever comes first).
What is covered under warranty
Statutory warranties (class A and B) cover most defects. However, they do not cover faulty:
- tyres or tyre tubes
- airbags
- batteries
- radiator hoses
- lights (defects to warning lights and indicator lights used as hazard lights are covered)
- radios, tape players or CD players
- air conditioners (defects to air conditioners are covered under class A warranties)
- aerials
- spark plugs
- wiper rubbers
- oil or oil filters
- heater hoses
- fuel
- air filters
- paintwork (that you should have noticed before the sale)
- upholstery (that you should have noticed before the sale)
- accessories that were not fitted to the vehicle when it was sold.
Statutory warranties do not cover any faults or damage caused by your misuse or lack of care.
Getting repairs under warranty
If you buy a used car (with a class A or B warranty) and your car needs repairs within the warranty time, you must:
- take your car back to the seller
- tell the warrantor about the problem (in writing).
The warrantor must respond to you within 5 days to advise if you are covered and, if you are, how they will fix your car. If they do not reply within 5 days they must fix the problem for you—whether you were covered under the warranty or not. The warrantor then has 14 days to make the repairs.
For every day that your car is away from you for repairs under warranty, the length of your warranty extends by 1 day.
When far away from the seller
If your car is located more than 200km away from the warrantor when you give your written notice, the warrantor will nominate a repairer where you can take your car to undergo repairs.
When the dealership has sold
If the dealership you bought your car from sells to a new owner, the original licensee stays responsible for your warranty. The new owner is not responsible.
When the manufacturer’s warranty is current
If you buy a used car that still has a current manufacturer’s warranty, you will have both a statutory warranty and a manufacturer’s warranty.
If your car needs repairs, you and the warrantor will need to decide if the warrantor or manufacturer should take care of the repairs.
Vehicles not entitled to warranties
You are not entitled to a statutory warranty when you buy a used:
- motorcycle
- caravan
- restorable vehicle
- commercial vehicle
- vehicle being sold on consignment for a private seller
- vehicle that is unregistered and cannot be registered in Queensland (because of its design or because it is on the ‘written-off’ register).
Sellers must make it very clear to you if a vehicle has no warranty.
They must:
- place a notice on the car’s windshield or price tag
- place a sign at the main entrance to the dealership or auction site
- give you a notice directly.
Warranty disputes
You should try to resolve any problems you have directly with the seller.
It is a good idea to put your concerns in writing (for example, send the seller an email or a letter about the difficulties you are having). If you are unhappy with their reply, you can lodge a complaint.
See the steps for making a consumer complaint.
