New court ruling

Watch out when buying a car: when is the right to cancel?

The new ruling from Klagenfurt will not only change consumer protection law when buying a car - provided that the next court of appeal does not rule differently.(Bild: Shisu_ka/stock.adobe.com)

A Carinthian experienced a nasty surprise when buying a used car: the vehicle he ordered by email used more fuel than promised, so he wanted to return the car within the 14-day period. But the dealer refused - and apparently for good reason, as the court has now found.

A cornerstone of consumer protection law has been shaken. And in a big way. Previously, there was a 14-day right of withdrawal for any type of "distance selling transaction". In other words, transactions by telephone and internet or at the front door can be canceled within two weeks. This EU-wide regulation is intended to protect consumers.