Automotive legal specialist Lawgistics is urging dealers to carry out thorough pre-delivery inspections (PDI) following the introduction of the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

The company said: “A PDI sheet will show your customer that you have acted diligently in making sure that the car they are purchasing is in full working order with no problems at the time they come to collect.

“You could also take your customer around the car and do some of the items in their presence, lights, indicators, fans etc, as well as the test drive items. This will make them feel more involved in the process and if your customer has seen the PDI sheet, signed and accepted the items within it, it becomes another layer of evidence that the car was of satisfactory condition at the point of sale.”

Lawgistics said many of its clients advertise PDI checks alongside used car sales and some were also using video evidence as evidence for the PDI itself i.e bodywork, upholstery and the condition of the vehicle in general.

The company said: “If a problem subsequently arises with the vehicle you will have a PDI sheet signed by the customer as evidence the car was accepted as satisfactory at point of sale.

“Not only will this mean that consumers cannot accuse you of misleading advertising practices, but it will help mitigate any losses should the customer claim there is an issue with any item on the PDI.”