CAB Urges Car Buyers To Get Clued-Up

Citizens Advice Bureau Awareness Week, 15-21 March 2004

Nationwide, Citizens Advice Bureaux deal with 200 enquiries every week about motor vehicles and motor vehicle sales. Many of these enquiries could be unnecessary if car buyers checked their rights before purchasing, says CAB Chief Executive, Nick Toonen.

“The new Motor Vehicles Sales Act, which came into force in December last year, gives consumers much more information about who they are buying vehicles from, what they are buying, and better recourse to take action through the Motor Vehicles Disputes Tribunal if required. But CAB urges people to become ‘clued-up consumers’ before making a purchase, rather than picking up the pieces when something goes wrong later.

“For example, car buyers should be aware that all motor vehicle traders (including car auctioneers and car market operators) must be registered. A database of those registered can be accessed at www.motortraders.med.govt.nz or by phoning 0508 668 678. A list of banned traders will also be available on this website. New window cards (Supplier Information Notices) must be displayed on all used vehicles sold by motor vehicle traders. These tell you things like if there’s any money owing on the car or whether the vehicle was imported as a damaged vehicle.”

There are many more things to look out for when buying a motor vehicle. Citizens Advice Bureaux have a free booklet, produced by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, called Fit for the Road – What consumers should know BEFORE buying a motor vehicle. If you’ve already bought a motor vehicle and you want to check your rights, Back on the Right Road – Consumers’ rights AFTER buying a motor vehicle is for you.

During CAB Awareness Week (March 15-21), the country’s 2,750 CAB volunteers at 87 bureaux will not only highlight consumers’ rights when it comes to buying motor vehicles, but other goods and services too. Bureaux will also be working with retailers to highlight their rights and responsibilities to customers.

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