Car-buyers are being warned by Monmouthshire County Council to beware of descriptions of motor vehicles on the internet in case they aren’t what they seem.
The council’s trading Standards Officers say descriptions may not match what you find on the forecourt.
Teams of Trading Standards Officers in Wales have conducted surveys of traders advertising on the internet and found 10% of vehicles were incorrectly described when they cross checked with the vehicle found on the garage forecourt of the traders concerned.
Typical problems the officers found included:
- Inaccurate mileage claims
- Vehicles being described as having certain accessories when they did not have them
- Vehicles being described as having full service histories when there was no service history available
- Discrepancies in prices
Head of Trading Standards in Monmouthshire, Phil Glanville, said:
“Traders have a duty to be honest in their descriptions of their goods. However, it is always worth doing your homework and getting the car thoroughly checked before you part with your cash.”
Jacqui Morgan, Chair of the Wales Heads of Trading Standards and representing the officers doing the work on the ground said:
“Traders have got to spend more time ensuring that the information they put on internet sites is correct and verified involving vehicles they are selling because they will commit offences which could result in substantial fines.
“If we find them on inspection or complaints come to us we will be under a duty to investigate these matters.
“I would add that our priority is to support legitimate businesses in Wales and we always provide appropriate advice to ensure they are aware of their obligations and will do all we can in the current climate to get ‘good’ trade to “get it right first time when it comes to complying with the law, whilst targeting and taking out the rogues”.
