Q: I have just purchased a second hand car directly from the owner. In less than a week the car developed some faults and I had to take it to a mechanic to have it fixed. The mechanic told me that the gearbox and the clutch needed to be replaced at a cost of €400.

I believe that the car was sold to me with these hidden defects but I am not sure if I have any legal rights?

A: Since you bought the second hand car from a private seller and not from a professional seller, this type of purchase is excluded from the provisions of the Consumer Affairs Act as it only covers purchases of consumers from professional traders. This means that as a buyer you cannot request as a solution one of the legal remedies stipulated in the Consumer Affairs Act. This also means that the Office for Consumer Affairs cannot intervene in such disputes.

These kind of purchases are, however, covered by the Civil Code. You may, therefore, consult a lawyer and be advised on your rights under this legislation.