A Finnish consumer has received a temporary ruling in a dispute over a car sold as inspected and roadworthy that turned out to have serious defects. The Consumer Disputes Board made its decision after a customer identified as Ossi purchased an 18-year-old Lexus IS250 from a dealership.
The car cost €6,379 and had nearly 330,000 kilometers on its odometer. Ossi believed he was buying a fully inspected vehicle in good condition.
Within two weeks, he discovered multiple problems. The car had not passed inspection and was actually under a driving ban. The vehicle had a faulty battery, made grinding noises from the rear, leaked engine oil, and had severely rusted brake dust covers.
Ossi demanded the dealership cancel the sale, but the seller refused. He then took the case to the Consumer Disputes Board.
The dealership pointed to the car's age and mileage in their defense. They acknowledged failing to complete the post-inspection verification but claimed this was an error. They stated the customer could complete this inspection at their expense.
Regarding the specific defects, the seller argued the battery and wheel bearing issues resulted from normal wear and tear. A repair shop estimated fixing the problems would cost €1,700.
The board reached an interim solution. Ossi must take the car for post-inspection verification. If defects preventing approval emerge and the seller refuses to cover repair costs, Ossi can file a new complaint.
The board recommended the dealership cover inspection costs at this stage. This case highlights the importance of verifying vehicle inspection status before purchase, especially with older high-mileage cars.
Consumer protection authorities often see disputes where sellers claim normal wear while buyers expect roadworthy vehicles. The temporary nature of this ruling means the final outcome remains uncertain until proper inspection occurs.