Teen’s terror after second-hand car bursts into flames on Salisbury Hwy

A young girl has issued a warning to teen car buyers after purchasing her first car turned into a “life-threatening” ordeal.

A teenager has told of the moment her car burst into flames on the Salisbury Highway just minutes after she purchased it from a second-hand dealer. Picture: 7NEWS

A northern suburbs teenager has told of the terrifying moment her car burst into flames on the Salisbury Hwy, just minutes after she bought it from a second-hand dealer.

On Tuesday, Hajar Yassini, 19, purchased the 2004 Mazda 2 from a mechanic for $5000.

She said she was promised the vehicle was “in perfect condition” – but as she drove away down busy Salisbury Hwy, her passenger began to smell smoke.

“When we were on our way home – not even 15 minutes after I bought it – I realised I couldn’t get the car to go more than 60km/h in the 90km/h zone,” Ms Yassini said.

“My family friend was with me in the car and she was like, ‘I can smell smoke, we need to get out the car right now’.

A teenager has told how she leapt from her car moments before it burst into flames on the Salisbury Highway. She had only had the second-hand Mazda for 15 minutes Picture: Supplied

The 19-year-old captured the terrifying ordeal. Picture: Supplied

“That’s when I pulled over and smoke started billowing from the engine … just after we got out of the car it went up in flames.”

Ms Yassini said she had originally planned to pick up the car with her friend and her 18-month-old and feared the worst could have happened.

“It was terrifying, it could have been a life-threatening situation,” she said.

“I wouldn’t have known what to do if I was by myself, or imagine if my friend’s baby was in the car … I’m grateful it wasn’t any worse.”

The 19-year-old wants her ordeal to act as a warning for other young drivers, believing the second-hand dealer took advantage of her age.

“I’m sure (being sold a lemon) is such a common thing that happens among teenagers, because a lot of us just want to buy a first car and not all of us have like enough money to buy it first-hand,” Ms Yassini said.

“I feel like I was taken advantage of because I know nothing about cars. If a mechanic says your car is fine, you’re going to trust them.”

The second-hand car was destroyed by the blaze. Picture: Supplied

In SA, second-hand dealers are required to repair any defects that make a vehicle illegal to drive or unroadworthy at the time of delivery to the purchaser – dependant on when the car was first registered and how many kilometres it has driven.

While purchases through private sellers have few protections, Australian Consumer Law provides some protection against ‘lemons’.

Consumer and Business Services has confirmed it is investigating the dealer, who Ms Yassini said conducted the sale as a private seller.

CBS has also urged customers who believe they may have had problems with this seller to contact 131 882.

The Motor Trade Association has called for greater regulation of private sellers, with SA currently the only state without safeguards to ensure privately-sold used vehicles are roadworthy.

“Dodgy private sellers are currently preying on those who can least afford it,” Motor Trade Association SA/NT CEO Darrell Jacobs said.

“Unfortunately, we are seeing mums and dads and young drivers being ripped off by private sellers.

“The MTA is calling for a safety net where people are protected knowing that the car they are purchasing privately has had a safety inspection.”