The trade-in value for the 2004 Getz is $2700 to $6000 depending on the model, so the value you have been quoted is well down on what you could expect. Ask the dealer to show you the hail damage, in other words have him justify his valuation, or better still shop around at other dealers.

IF YOU are unhappy with the car take it back to the place of purchase. You have no claim against the dealer who sold the car in the first place, the deal you have done is with the person you bought the car from. If you have no satisfaction there you could claim it wasn't fit for the purpose for which it was sold and pursue some form of compensation.

THERE are two crucial dates on the car, the build date and the date of compliance to the Australian Design Rules. The second is more critical in terms of registration. The build plate is attached to the car when it is put together at the factory. The date used by the registration authorities to establish the model year is the one on the compliance plate. When cars arrive here they go into bond storage and come out only when they are delivered to dealers. That's when the compliance plate is fitted. A car could have been built in 2004 but, because of the time it takes to ship cars from Korea, it may have a compliance plate dated 2005, when it was taken out of bond storage and sent to the dealer. Your car could have a compliance plate dated 2004. That could be because it has been sitting at the dealer's since last year. Check the plates on the car. The ADR compliance plate is in the rear boot area. The build plate is attached to the body on the passenger's side door. If the compliance plate is dated 2004, the registration is correct and the dealer has not been honest. The car may be new, but it will be seen as an older model and its value will probably be affected. Some dealers, however, consider the date of first registration as the guide to its value and you won't be affected. If the date on the compliance plate is 2005 I would go the registration people and have their records corrected to reflect the later date.