Residents of Zoetermeer have the same consumer rights when buying a car as with other products in the Netherlands. Cars are complex and expensive, however, often making situations more challenging. Used cars present additional hurdles. In disputes, you can seek advice from Het Juridisch Loket Zoetermeer.
New Car
When purchasing a new car from a dealer in or around Zoetermeer:
- Factory warranty, typically 2 to 7 years
- Statutory warranty on conformity also applies
- The dealer serves as the primary contact for repairs
- 14-day cooling-off period for online purchases from a local seller
Used Car from a Dealer
When buying a second-hand car from a dealer in the Zoetermeer area:
- Statutory warranty is mandatory, though coverage is often more limited than for new vehicles
- The dealer must disclose all known defects
- BOVAG warranty offers additional buyer protection
- Verify mileage with the NAP check
Private Sale
When buying from a private seller in Zoetermeer:
- No special consumer protection applies
- Standard sales rules, including conformity, do apply
- The 'sold as seen' clause does not protect against unnoticed defects
- The seller may not deliberately conceal defects, or risks liability
Common Issues
- Manipulated odometer
- Undeclared past damage
- Hidden mechanical defects
- The car turns out to be stolen or seized via the Municipality of Zoetermeer
BOVAG and RDW
For Zoetermeer residents, it is essential to check:
- NAP (National Car Passport) for mileage history
- RDW data for registration and APK inspection
- Whether the dealer is a BOVAG member for additional warranties
In serious disputes, you can litigate at the Rechtbank Zoetermeer or get free advice from Het Juridisch Loket Zoetermeer.
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.