“Im Kundenauftrag” (on behalf of a customer) – two words that can have significant legal consequences when buying a used car. Many buyers read this phrase without knowing what it means. That can get expensive.
What exactly does “im Kundenauftrag” (on behalf of a customer) mean?
“Im Kundenauftrag” (on behalf of a customer) means: a dealer or garage doesn't sell the vehicle as its owner, but as an intermediary – on behalf of a private individual. The actual owner is the dealer's customer.
That sounds unproblematic. The consequence isn't: because the dealer isn't the seller in the legal sense, they can exclude the statutory warranty – just like a private seller. So you're effectively buying privately, but through a professional intermediary.
The legal implications for buyers
For a normal purchase from a dealer: 24 months statutory warranty (reducible by contract to 12 months for used cars). If defects appear, the dealer has to repair or refund.
With a sale on behalf of a customer it's different. Since the dealer only acts as an intermediary, they can – like a private seller – exclude the warranty completely. The ad then often says: “Verkauf erfolgt im Kundenauftrag, daher keine Gewährleistung.” (Sold on behalf of a customer, therefore no warranty.) After the purchase, you're on your own.
Important: the dealer must clearly state in the ad that it's a sale on behalf of a customer. If this disclosure is missing, they can't rely on the warranty exclusion – they would then be liable like a normal dealer.
How do you spot sale-on-behalf-of-a-customer ads?
Typical phrases in the ad or description:
- “Verkauf im Kundenauftrag” (sale on behalf of a customer)
- “Im Auftrag unseres Kunden” (on behalf of our customer)
- “Kommissionsverkauf” (consignment sale)
- “Privatfahrzeug, vermittelt durch [Werkstatt/Händlername]” (private vehicle, brokered by [garage/dealer name])
- “Keine Gewährleistung, da Privatverkauf über uns” (no warranty, as it's a private sale through us)
Telltale signs outside the text: professional photos, the vehicle is on a dealer's forecourt, the contact person is an employee of a garage, the address is a business address.
What should you do as a buyer?
- Clarify in writing: before buying, ask in writing whether it's a sale on behalf of a customer. Keep the answer as proof.
- Who is the actual seller? Get the owner's name and address. Legally, you conclude the purchase contract with them – not with the dealer.
- Have the vehicle inspected: since no warranty applies, an independent inspection before buying is particularly important. InseratCheck analyses the ad for risk signals in advance – before you even plan the viewing.
- Ad check: InseratCheck detects on-behalf-of-a-customer phrasing automatically and flags the increased risk.
Conclusion
“Im Kundenauftrag” (on behalf of a customer) is no minor detail – it means: no dealer protection, no warranty, full risk for the buyer. If you know that, you can protect yourself. If you don't, you end up paying twice.
To the 10 most common warning signs when buying a used car – and how to protect yourself.
Frequently asked questions about “im Kundenauftrag” (on behalf of a customer)
Is a sale on behalf of a customer legal?
Yes, in principle – provided the dealer points it out clearly and unambiguously. The problem is that the disclosure is often hidden in the small print or only appears in the purchase contract, not in the ad.
Can I cancel the purchase if defects appear?
If the warranty has been effectively excluded, only in exceptional cases – for example if the seller fraudulently concealed defects. However, that's hard to prove and, if in doubt, means a legal dispute.
How does InseratCheck detect sale-on-behalf-of-a-customer ads?
InseratCheck automatically analyses the ad text for phrases such as “im Kundenauftrag” (on behalf of a customer), “Kommissionsverkauf” (consignment sale) or related terms and flags them with a separate risk notice.