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| Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service |
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| Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service |
WATCHDOGS
WARN OF GROWING MISERY FOR CAR BUYERS
The
West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service warn car buyers of the growing misery
inflicted by a minority of car traders within the county who operate either
illegally, or in a predatory manner. The principal abuse is the sale of
‘clocked’ high mileage ex-fleet vehicles, sometimes with forged service
books. The following statistics are indicative of a serious and ongoing problem:
Consumers
are urged to take steps to avoid becoming part of these statistics by buying
vehicles from reputable, established garages. Many garages within the county
have now joined the Service’s Motor Trade Partnership Scheme. Look for
the logo-it indicates that the organisation is customer focused, follows good
trading practice and has an approved complaint resolution scheme.
The
following steps should minimise the dangers of buying clocked or misdescribed
vehicles from dealers:
1.
Decide
how much you wish to pay. Use car magazines and price guides to identify vehicles available for
that price. DO NOT EXCEED THIS AMOUNT.
2.
Advertisements.
READ THEM AND KEEP THEM. Look for established businesses and the Motor Trade
Partnership logo. Remember Motor Magazines do not vet advertisers. If
the advertised price is unexpectedly low suspect
hidden problems.
3.
CHECK THE
VEHICLE OVER. For a fee the Motoring organisations will report in detail. Look
out for undue wear on the pedals/gear lever/ steering wheel-these are the
signs of high mileage. Question the dealer about the vehicle.
4.
Insist on
seeing the vehicle’s REGISTRATION DOCUMENT and SERVICE BOOK. Note the name
and address of the last keeper and/or the last garage to service the vehicle.
IF THESE DOCUMENTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, DO NOT PROCEED UNTIL THEY ARE AVAILABLE.
5.
Leave the
premises and verify everything you’ve been told. Carry out an HPI check and
phone the last keeper or servicing agent to confirm the mileage.
Many
people are confused by the function of disclaimer notices. These are stickers
found on speedometers which typically read:
TRADE
DESCRIPTIONS ACT 68
WE
HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CONFIRM THE MILEAGE OF THIS VEHICLE
HOWEVER
TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF THE READING IS CORRECT/INCORRECT.
They
are intended to allow a dealer to sell a vehicle when, despite his best efforts
he cannot confirm the reading is correct (eg an old or imported vehicle). If
it is your intention to purchase a genuine mileage vehicle, proceed no further. If
you have negotiated the purchase of a vehicle on the basis that the mileage is
right DON’T SIGN A DISCLAIMER ON THE INVOICE.
If
the disclaimer has been applied to a 3 years old, one owner vehicle, with
36-45,000 miles on the clock, the dealer could be hiding the vehicle’s true
history. Confirming the mileage of such a vehicle should be straightforward.
Dishonest dealers often claim that the mileage is really OK and they’re just
waiting for the documents, DO NOT PROCEED UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THOSE DOCUMENTS!
Martin
Wood, Chief Officer of West Yorkshire Joint Services said,
“A small minority of dishonest motor traders are causing
significant problems for both the public and the Trading Standards Service. All
these traders are known to the Service. Large profits are being made by
offloading clocked vehicles on the innocent but often all-too-trusting public.
There is no substitute for thoroughly checking a vehicle and its documents
before making a purchase, however our Motor Trade Partnership scheme is designed
to inspire confidence in used car buying and we hope people will look for the
logo.”
If
consumers do have any concerns they should contact the Consumer Helpline on
01133 848 848 between 8.30-6.30 Monday to Friday and 9.00-1.00 on Saturdays.
Alternatively log on to our website at www.adviceline.org.uk
or contact our minicom on 0113 2892 265.
Paul Cooper
Divisional Manager 0113 2898240
David Lodge,
Principal Trading Standards
Officer 0113 2898243