Consumer rights when buying from trade

[markjay]

..."A test certificate relates only to the condition of the components examined at the time of the test"...

I think that you are reading to much into this.

'at the time of the test' means just that - not a year, not even the day of the test - it is valid just for that particular moment of time when the inspection took place.

If a headlamp bulb blows 5 minutes after it was inspected, the car will have a valid MOT but it will not be roadworthy.

There is no need to assume that there was an intention to take into account possible criminal activity etc - it is just simple common sense which applies to many types of tests - It is valid 'at the time of the test'.

Of course some failures such as tyre wear or corrosion can not occur overnight, but there are plenty of other test items that can fail without warning at any time after being tested.

Bulbs, wiper motor or relay, snapped parking brake cable, ABS wheel sensor, any engine sensor that affects emissions... the list is long.

 

[219]

I think that you are reading to much into this.

'at the time of the test' means just that - not a year, not even the day of the test - it is valid just for that particular moment of time when the inspection took place.

If a headlamp bulb blows 5 minutes after it was inspected, the car will have a valid MOT but it will not be roadworthy.

There is no need to assume that there was an intention to take into account possible criminal activity etc - it is just simple common sense which applies to many types of tests - It is valid 'at the time of the test'.

Of course some failures such as tyre wear or corrosion can not occur overnight, but there are plenty of other test items that can fail without warning at any time after being tested.

Bulbs, wiper motor or relay, snapped parking brake cable, ABS wheel sensor, any engine sensor that affects emissions... the list is long.

Not disagreeing with any of the above , but it has long been held that any discrepancies can be actionable either against a seller or a test station on the day of the test , and with some items later .

Of course the tester will have a 'get out' in the case of items which might have failed just after the test , but a trader could be pursued for most things ( and would have to rectify anyway ) .