Car dealers increase used-car inspections as competition intensifies

Car dealers are arranging more inspections of used cars as sales grow and competition intensifies, Yle reports. The checks help dealers assess trade-ins and give buyers information about a car’s condition before purchase.

About 2,000 vehicle-sale disputes are currently pending before Finland’s Consumer Disputes Board. Most concern repairs and who should pay for them. Dealers use inspections in an effort to prevent disagreements over the condition of used cars.

Dealers’ inspections vary. Some have a mechanic examine and test-drive every car, while others buy condition reports from external vehicle inspection companies. The Autoalan keskusliitto, an industry association, says large dealer chains and brand dealerships invest significantly in inspections.

Heikki Nikkola, chief executive of the Plus Katsastus inspection chain, says dealers have arranged noticeably more condition checks and combined inspections with periodic vehicle inspections, particularly over the past two years. Stations in the Helsinki region, Turku and Tampere carry out the checks daily when resources allow. Consumers, by contrast, rarely arrange an inspection themselves before buying.

Dealers are not legally required to commission an inspection. But they are responsible for knowing what they sell and providing accurate and sufficient information about the car, says Tero Lausala, chief executive of the Autoalan keskusliitto.

Used cars were sold about four times as often as new cars were first registered from January to October. Lausala says that stronger used-car sales have contributed to the rise in inspections. Dealers also highlight condition reports in listings, and some branded used-car ranges offer warranties or other benefits linked to inspections. Checks are more common for higher-priced cars, as an inspection could raise the price of a car costing around 1,000 euros.