A car is worn

I have always understood you to say that a car dealer must offer a 6-month warranty with a used car. However in Motoring Telegraph on 27 March you advised an owner that since he only paid a dealer £500 for a Rover, he couldn't expect free repair of a head gasket. Is there some financial cut-off on the mandatory trade warranty you've mentioned previously or have I misunderstood something please?

Asked on 19 June 2010 by N.B., Saxilby, Lincoln

Answered by Honest John

No. Just common sense. A 'reasonble man' would not expect a £500 car to be fault-free and remain fault free for 6 months. But he would expect that of a £5,000 car. A £500 car is a car purchased for perhaps 1/20th of its original price. A £5,000 car is perhaps half its original price. Big difference in what you can reasonably expect.

Tags: buying warranties approved used dealers used cars

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

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