It's refreshing to see that the ACCC is moving to initiate wide-ranging changes that could see "Lemon laws" for fault-prone new vehicles, introduced.
The regulator has released a sweeping 162-page Draft Report, on the New Car Retailing industry - and says it's deeply concerned about the (poor) level of compliance by car manufacturers in Australia, as regards Australian Consumer Law.
For way too long, vehicle manufacturers and their dealers have run roughshod over new car buyers.
Lies about emission levels - lies about fuel economy - brush-offs when it came to serious complaints about unsatisfactory performance, and levels of build quality - failure to carry about repairs properly - and just plain stonewalling of unhappy new car owners who have had legitimate complaints, have become all-too-common.
Making vehicle owners sign non-disclosure agreements when it came to vehicle warranty repairs, have been one of the sleaziest tactics initiated by the manufacturers and dealers - and these agreements have been found to be illegal, and in contravention of ACL.
"Gag" orders were usually attached to the above agreements, to try and suppress any discussion of the problem or problems with a vehicle, by aggrieved owners. This has also been deemed illegal.
Statements by manufacturers and dealers, that out-of-warranty repairs - and even, warranty repairs - would only be done as a "goodwill gesture", were also found to be illegal and against ACL.
What amazes me about these manufacturers and dealers, is that they are nearly always prepared to "patch up" faults, with sub-standard fixes - yet if you damage a vehicle in a crash, it can be written off with only minor damage to the vehicle.
In addition, most components from a written-off vehicle (apart from basic components such as a long engine or a manual transmission) cannot be used in any other vehicle - as after a statutory write off, most components are then regarded as faulty, and possibly damaged, and therefore must be regarded as unsafe.
This is because so many components of todays vehicles have a safety angle attached to them.
Any compromise in the operation of any safety-related device in a registered road vehicle, is not allowed.
Yet, the manufacturers have been happy to "patch up" and repair new vehicles that contain serious faults, which is in complete contravention of the SWO laws.
The ACCC is seeking submissions on its report, with submissions due by Sept 7, 2017. The full report is due at years end.
If you have a current, and even a past complaint, as regards the performance of any new vehicle you have purchased - or a current or past complaint on the treatment you received as a complainant, regarding new vehicle problems you were seeking to have rectified - then I suggest you make a submission to the ACCC, and make your voice heard.
PerthNow - ACCC report damns car manufacturersACCC - New Car Retailing - market study
Cheers, Ron.