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14/11/2011
Dodgy Cars Top Consumerline Complaints
Problems with used cars continue to top the number of complaints to Consumerline, new figures released today reveal.
Over 1,000 people have complained to Consumerline, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's consumer advice helpline, about problems with used cars in the last year.
The new statistics have been published to coincide with the launch of the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) ‘Know Your Consumer Rights’ campaign to warn people about problems they may encounter when buying a used car.
As part of the campaign, the OFT has produced a short online film to inform people about their basic rights when buying a used car, and what to do if they encounter problems after purchase. It is also working with local trading standards and the motor industry to make information on consumer rights more readily available.
Today’s figures show that more than 70% of the complaints to Consumerline were about faults with the cars and over 13% were about misleading claims or omissions by the seller and nearly 7% were about substandard services.
An OFT study published last year found that consumers are left out of pocket by an average of £425 each because they have to fix unresolved faults that are the dealers’ obligation to correct.
Stephen Thompson, Consumerline Manager, said: “We continue to receive a high number of complaints which are often due to some traders refusing to deal with legitimate complaints or provide appropriate compensation.
“We want to help people understand their rights when buying a used car from a dealer and we are working with the industry and local authority trading standards to get this message across.
“Dealers who fail to treat customers fairly or sell cars that are defective could face enforcement action," he said adding that the Trading Standards Service (TSS) has taken enforcement action against a number of car dealers in Northern Ireland in the last year, over concerns about car clocking, business practices when selling cars, finance and after-sale guarantees.
(BMcC/GK)
Over 1,000 people have complained to Consumerline, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's consumer advice helpline, about problems with used cars in the last year.
The new statistics have been published to coincide with the launch of the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) ‘Know Your Consumer Rights’ campaign to warn people about problems they may encounter when buying a used car.
As part of the campaign, the OFT has produced a short online film to inform people about their basic rights when buying a used car, and what to do if they encounter problems after purchase. It is also working with local trading standards and the motor industry to make information on consumer rights more readily available.
Today’s figures show that more than 70% of the complaints to Consumerline were about faults with the cars and over 13% were about misleading claims or omissions by the seller and nearly 7% were about substandard services.
An OFT study published last year found that consumers are left out of pocket by an average of £425 each because they have to fix unresolved faults that are the dealers’ obligation to correct.
Stephen Thompson, Consumerline Manager, said: “We continue to receive a high number of complaints which are often due to some traders refusing to deal with legitimate complaints or provide appropriate compensation.
“We want to help people understand their rights when buying a used car from a dealer and we are working with the industry and local authority trading standards to get this message across.
“Dealers who fail to treat customers fairly or sell cars that are defective could face enforcement action," he said adding that the Trading Standards Service (TSS) has taken enforcement action against a number of car dealers in Northern Ireland in the last year, over concerns about car clocking, business practices when selling cars, finance and after-sale guarantees.
(BMcC/GK)
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24 April 2017
Woman Scammed Out Of Over £4,000 On Fake Used Car Website
A woman from Belfast has been scammed of over £4,000 on a fake used car sales website. The 32-year-old victim was caught out when she bought a 2012 Ford Focus she saw on a used car sales website of a business claiming to be based in England. She spoke online with the business before agreeing to make a bank transfer payment of £4,200.
Woman Scammed Out Of Over £4,000 On Fake Used Car Website
A woman from Belfast has been scammed of over £4,000 on a fake used car sales website. The 32-year-old victim was caught out when she bought a 2012 Ford Focus she saw on a used car sales website of a business claiming to be based in England. She spoke online with the business before agreeing to make a bank transfer payment of £4,200.
28 September 2018
Thirty Cars Damaged By Youths In South Belfast
PSNI are hunting for two young males who allegedly damaged thirty cars parked in the West Belfast area. The youngsters are reported to have "scratched along the entire sides of these vehicles while walking past them", causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Thirty Cars Damaged By Youths In South Belfast
PSNI are hunting for two young males who allegedly damaged thirty cars parked in the West Belfast area. The youngsters are reported to have "scratched along the entire sides of these vehicles while walking past them", causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
15 May 2018
Hatfield Bar Reopens Following Police Search
The Hatfield Bar in south Belfast has reopened following a search operation by the PSNI and customs officers. Four PSNI land rovers, a police van and three HMRC cars arrived at the Ormeau Road site just before 12 noon on Monday, 14 May.
Hatfield Bar Reopens Following Police Search
The Hatfield Bar in south Belfast has reopened following a search operation by the PSNI and customs officers. Four PSNI land rovers, a police van and three HMRC cars arrived at the Ormeau Road site just before 12 noon on Monday, 14 May.
06 October 2016
Over 300 Cars Destroyed In Fire At Breakers Yard
Over 300 cars have been destroyed in a fire at a breakers yard in Co Armagh. The blaze at Fegan's Quarry on the Madden Road is being treated as suspicious, according to the police. The PSNI said they are working to establish a motive for the incident and are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
Over 300 Cars Destroyed In Fire At Breakers Yard
Over 300 cars have been destroyed in a fire at a breakers yard in Co Armagh. The blaze at Fegan's Quarry on the Madden Road is being treated as suspicious, according to the police. The PSNI said they are working to establish a motive for the incident and are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
25 March 2013
No Power For 800 NIE Customers
NIE emergency crews and engineers are working to restore supplies to those 800 customers without electricity today. The customers are located in rural and exposed areas where access has been hampered by difficult ground conditions.
No Power For 800 NIE Customers
NIE emergency crews and engineers are working to restore supplies to those 800 customers without electricity today. The customers are located in rural and exposed areas where access has been hampered by difficult ground conditions.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
