Quarter of car sellers 'lie'

MORE THAN a quarter (28%) of people selling a car admit to telling a ‘white lie’ to help the sale go ahead. The statistics are higher among young car sellers aged 18-25-years old, where 33% admit to lying to make sure their cars is sold.

A study commissioned by vehicle history service HPI found 11% of sellers admitted to hiding problems with their car, while 9% are prepared to alter the mileage of their car to achieve a better price. Only 21% of those polled said they would simply sell the car as it is without trying to cover up any defects.

Shane Teskey of HPI said: ‘It would seem that sellers don't worry too much about the detail and are more interested in getting a good price quickly for the car they are trying to sell.

‘So when buying from a private seller it really pays to ask the right questions about the car you are looking to buy, checking if it's been in accident, that the finance has been paid in full and that the mileage is correct.’

By Press Association reporters