Over the last year, we have seen tremendous growth in consumer complaints within our industry.

Increasing complaints can be attributed to various awareness campaigns that were run by the Regulator and the media, who had a field day informing consumers of their rights under the Consumer Protection Act. Whether the advice given out was the right advice remains an open debate.

A big misconception is that consumers believe they have an unconditional warranty for six months following the purchase of a used vehicle – irrespective of kilometres travelled, year model, or vehicle condition.

Most of the complaints are centred on the mechanical condition of the vehicles sold and the added over-promise from the media on perceived rights afforded to the consumer through the Consumer Protection Act.

Consumers seem to be convinced that they are so well protected under the Act that they are therefore absolved from any responsibility with regards to damage prevention – which can be construed as driver abuse or negligent behaviour.

For instance, a consumer who continues to drive, despite various on-board warning lights and/or icons, deliberately causes unnecessary damage and a concomitant unnecessarily high repair bill.

I have always perceived this Act as written for a “kettle in a box application” and not well suited for the Motor Industry. The Act provides for a Code of Conduct applicable to various industries and numerous attempts at a Code of Conduct specific to the Motor Industry have failed. Contextually, the Act is left open to questionable interpretation.

The Independent Dealer Association will soon be hosting information sessions for Dealers nationwide to inform Dealers of their rights under the Consumer Protection Act.

Article by Noddy Schutte.

Sales and trends within the IDA environment for December 2015

Top 5 passenger vehicle sales per manufacturer VOLKSWAGEN
TOYOTA
FORD
BMW
NISSAN

Top 3 commercial vehicle sales per manufacturer NP200 1.6 P/U S/C
UTILITY 1.4 A/C P/U S/C
RANGER 2.2TDCI XL P/U D/C

Top 10 derivatives sales POLO 1.4 COMFORTLINE 5DR
POLO GP 1.2 TSI COMFORTLINE (66KW)
FIGO 1.4 AMBIENTE
POLO GP 1.2 TSI TRENDLINE (66KW)
NP200 1.6 P/U S/C
UTILITY 1.4 A/C P/U S/C
POLO VIVO 1.4 TRENDLINE 5DR
POLO VIVO GP 1.4 TRENDLINE 5DR
COROLLA 1.3 PROFESSIONAL
POLO VIVO GP 1.4 CONCEPTLINE 5DR

The average age of vehicles sold in December was 4.27 years.