A 1-year warranty on a used car: what it actually means
A one-year warranty is not an optional add-on — it is the minimum a professional seller must offer in Spain. Here is what it covers, what it does not, and how to claim.
Short answer#
A one-year warranty covers defects the vehicle already had at handover, even if they only show up months later. It is not fully comprehensive insurance and it does not cover normal wear. In Spain, a professional seller cannot offer less than one year on a second-hand vehicle. With us it is always included in the listed price, at no extra cost, for every customer.
Is the warranty compulsory or an extra?#
It is compulsory. When the seller is a professional and the buyer is a consumer, Spanish consumer law sets a minimum period of liability for lack of conformity. For second-hand goods that period may be reduced by agreement, but never below one year.
So be wary of a professional listing offering «three months warranty» or «sold as seen»: that is not lawful in a sale to a consumer. Private sales work differently and give you far less protection, which is one reason buying from a professional costs a little more.
General guidance only. The specific terms of each sale are provided in writing together with the purchase agreement.
What exactly does it cover?#
| Covered | Not covered |
|---|---|
| Failures caused by defects already present at handover, even if they appear months later | Normal wear: brake pads and discs, tyres, clutch through misuse, wiper blades |
| Mechanical and electronic faults not attributable to use | Routine maintenance: oil, filters, servicing |
| Differences between what was listed and what was delivered (equipment, mileage, version) | Damage from accidents, misuse, competition or later modifications |
| Hidden defects preventing normal use of the vehicle | Cosmetic ageing appropriate to the vehicle's years |
How do you claim if something fails?#
- Tell us early. As soon as you notice the fault, get in touch and describe it in detail. The earlier it is documented, the simpler everything becomes.
- Do not have it repaired elsewhere first. A prior repair at another workshop makes it harder to establish where the defect came from.
- Keep the paperwork. Contract, invoice and vehicle documents are the basis of any claim.
- Repair or replacement. The law provides for repair first; where that is not possible or reasonable, other remedies apply.
Why this shapes which vehicles we buy#
If we stand behind every vehicle for twelve months, it makes no sense for us to bring over a questionable one. That is why we reject vehicles with an incomplete history, with mileage that does not add up, or with signs of structural corrosion — however tempting the purchase price.
Put differently: the warranty is not only protection for you, it is the filter that defines our stock. See the available vehicles in the vehicles section or write to us with any question.