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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.
Notes
to the editor
- Citizens Advice
Bureau is the principle provider of consumer advice to the New
Zealand public
- Between 1 July
2002 and 30 June 2003 CAB handled 575,250 client enquiries, of
which 71,262 (12.5%) were consumer related
- CAB can also
help people with a wide range of other issues and problems, including
education, work and employment, income support and benefits, legal
advice, housing and tenancy, and immigration
- The CAB service
is free, confidential and impartial, and provided by trained volunteers.
It can be accessed in person (at one of the 87 bureaux throughout
the country), by phone or by email.
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