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What rights do you have when you buy a used car from a dealer in Denmark?

The consumer rules of the Sale of Goods Act apply.

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Short answer

When you buy a used car from a dealer, the consumer rules of the Danish Sale of Goods Act (købeloven) apply, including a 2-year right to complain that runs from delivery. A defect must have existed at delivery, or its cause must have, and it must go beyond what you could expect from the car's price, age and mileage, or be safety-related. A dealer cannot remove your rights with general clauses such as "as seen"; any reservation must be specific, for example that the air conditioning does not work. If you cannot agree with the dealer, you can take a car purchase over DKK 10,000 to Ankenævn for biler or to court.

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Why

  1. The 2 years run from delivery.
  2. A warranty runs alongside, it does not replace the right to complain.
  3. The dealer must prove that a defect was clearly disclosed.

Details

If a covered defect is confirmed, the dealer pays reasonable transport costs, including ferry and bridge fees.

Tip

Always complain to the dealer first, and do not let another workshop repair the car without the dealer's agreement, or you can lose your rights.

What may differ

What counts as a defect depends on the car's price, age and mileage, so the same fault can be judged differently on an old and a new car.

Common misconception

Many buyers think a dealer's short used-car warranty is all the protection they get.

What actually happens

The 2-year right to complain applies on top of any warranty, which is often shorter.

People also ask

  • What rights do you have when you buy a used car privately?
  • How do you complain to Ankenævn for biler?
  • What should you check before buying a used car?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Traffic rules, fines and fees can change, so check the Danish authorities before you drive.

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