SelbyPost 17 January 2013. - Global Title

Thursday, January 17th, 2013
HERE
TO
HELP
Selby and District
Citizen Advice
Bureau, Rear of 4
Park Street, Selby,
YO8 4PW
Tel: 08444 111 444
The Selby Post has teamed up with the local
Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) to present the next
instalment of a new feature intended to give our
readers advice and guidance on a host of legal,
financial and other issues that can affect their
everyday lives.
In these tough economic times, more and more
people are turning to the CAB and its army of
dedicated volunteers for advice and support on a
raft of issues - from housing to benefits claims and
debt management.
Each week the Selby Post presents our readers
with some of the questions asked by members of
the public at the Selby CAB branch.
Today's troubleshooting column looks at the laws designed to
safeguard prospective car-buyers from dodgy dealers.
It includes a number of tips on how people can prevent
themselves getting ripped off by unscrupulous second-handcar
dealers looking to make a profit from vehicles that are not
up to the mark.
The question blow was one that was actually put to a
volunteer at Selby Citizens Advice Bureau recently...
QUESTION: I'm hoping to buy a second-hand car but I've
heard so many horror stories about dodgy dealers. How
can I avoid being ripped off?
ANSWER: You're right to be wary. Problems with used cars
bought from dealers top the list of consumer complaints
brought to the CAB. We have a number of top tips you can
follow to avoid being ripped off.
q For a start, you should know what you want and get a feel
for how much it should cost: check second-hand-car prices in
your local press and used-car values online. Find a reliable
dealer: look for an established firm with a good reputation
which belongs to a trade association and comes
recommended.
q Look over the car's condition: check every aspect of the car,
from the paintwork to headlights, tyres to seatbelts.
Check the mileage - average mileage is around 10,000 per
year. If it's much higher it could mean problems; much lower
could mean it's been tampered with.
q Investigate the car's history: check through the DVLA, do a
private history check and an MOT check.
q Take it for a test drive: check the brakes (including
handbrake), steering and gears. Listen for banging or rattling
and any unusual engine sounds, and be alert for a strong
smell of petrol or oil - these can all indicate potential problems.
q Be wary of specific buying terms, namely signs such as
'sold as seen' or 'no refund', as these are illegally trying to limit
your rights.
q Make sure you fully understand the conditions of the sale –
including trade-in price and any finance agreement terms and
charges - before sealing the deal.
q Use your consumer rights: when you buy a car from a
dealer, the car must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose
and match its description, otherwise you have a right to a
repair, replacement or refund.
The CAB is situated at the back of 4 Park Street, Selby.
Marathon
St Leonard’s Hospice is to be one of the beneficiaries of the
first ever Yorkshire Marathon and the charity is urging
runners to raise funds for its work.
The Hospice is one of the partner charities for the
Marathon, which will take runners though the streets of York
in October and into the countryside of Yorkshire to the east.
Over 5,000 places have been announced for the event and
as many as 4,000 have already been snapped up, so St
Leonard’s is urging everyone who wants a place to sign up
now – and support the Hospice as they do so.
The symbol of the Marathon is the letter Y – and Emma
Johnson, Director of Clinical Services at St Leonard's Hospice
said: "Why don't you join? You can sign up and take part for
St Leonard's Hospice by visiting the website
www.theyorkshiremarathon.com. But hurry, as places are
going quickly."
The new marathon in Yorkshire, will take place on October
20, and has been organised by the family of charity Jane
Tomlinson, who raised more than £1.5 million before she died
from cancer in 2007.
PAGE NINETEEN
runners urged
to help hospice
by Kim Law
Emma Johnson, Director of Clinical service at St
Leonard's Hospice. (17-01-15 SU)
The first ever Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon was officially
launched on Tuesday, January 8 and is organised through the
Jane Tomlinson's For All Events, set up by her family as a
legacy to Jane.
Runners will start and finish at the University of York, and
will pass through villages in North Yorkshire and the East
riding when doing so.
A large number of places have already been filled, and any
runners who wish to take part are being urged to act fast, and
support the Hospice.
St Leonard's Hospice - which serves Selby, York and a wide
surrounding area - cares for local people with life-threatening
illnesses and their families.
It never makes a charge for its care, and needs to raise the
bulk of its £3.5 million annual running costs from the local
community.
l To apply for one of the St Leonard’s Hospice marathon
places, contract Hospice Fundraising on 01904 77 77 77.