QLD Secondhand Dealer Didn't Apply Money for Trade-in - Australian Consumer Law?

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DaltonRN

Member
9 June 2018
2
0
1
I bought a vehicle and the we agreed on a sum for the vehicle I traded. The dealer did not apply the trade in sum to the price of the vehicle I purchased. It's been a couple of years, what can I do under Australian Consumer Law, if anything?

The vehicle had also further issues post-purchase it had been stuck in mud to the axles (all four wheels). The engine light came on when I drove away from the dealer. The oil wasn't touching the dipstick and it was black. The clutch started having issues. The CD player doesn't work like it should.

My trade-in was in good nick too.
 

DMLegal

Well-Known Member
28 May 2018
187
33
514
Did you buy a new or used vehicle?

I don’t wish to be rude, but how did you not notice this at the time of purchase? How much was it traded in for?
 

Clancy

Well-Known Member
6 April 2016
973
69
2,289
It is probably one of those tricks whereby the trade in value changes according to the vehicle you chose to buy.
 

Clancy

Well-Known Member
6 April 2016
973
69
2,289
I'm a shift worker and likely wasn't at my best at the time.

Ouch! I assume you understand how it works normally though... If the dealer is trying to sell you a car he really wanted to offload, he will give you a high trade in value, if the car is more saleable then the lesser the trade in value.

Some dealers specialise in the tactic of impressing people with higher trade in values because they know Joe consumer is a sucker for that, but at the end of the day they always pay more for the car they buy.

Usually it's always best to sell your car privately rather than trading it in, but it's about the convenience I guess.