Legal warranty and used vehicle
All used cars, without exception, are covered by a legal warranty, or judicial guarantee. This is a minimum protection applicable to the purchase of a good. If the merchant does not sell you an item that is durable, of good quality, safe and in conformity with the expectations created by its representation, you can obtain a refund or exchange of the item. The legal warranty covers all goods purchased in Quebec, even if they come from abroad. It is offered free of charge. Among other things, it includes the following guarantees:
- The warranty of use
- The warranty of reasonable duration
- The warranty against hidden defects
The warranty of use
This is a warranty that addresses the quality of the vehicle. It must be capable of being used for its intended purpose, that is, it must be functional. You must be able to drive the car you buy. This is a warranty that is designed to prevent lemons.
The guarantee of reasonable duration
This warranty applies to the life of an item, particularly for defects that may appear after purchase. Of course, this warranty applies only if the product has been used properly. It varies from one good to another, taking into consideration the price paid, the contract and the conditions of use.
A product paid for at a high price will tend to have a longer legal warranty, compared to a product paid for at a low price.
The warranty against hidden defects
In order for this warranty to apply, the defect must be significant, serious and hidden.
If at the time of mentioning the defect, you had asked for a lower price, or you would not have purchased the vehicle, it is considered a significant defect.
If the defect results in the vehicle not being able to perform its function or if you have to pay large sums of money to cover repairs and inconvenience, it is considered a serious defect.
If the defect was not disclosed to you by the seller or if it was not discovered through normal mechanical evaluation, it is considered a hidden defect.
