On behalf of the Independent Motor Vehicle Dealers Association
November 2, 2000
JUST WHO IS SELLING
SOGGY IMPORTS?
Water damaged vehicles arriving in this country will be sold off to unsuspecting buyers by illegal traders posing as
private sellers at car fairs, roadsides and in newspapers and licensed motor vehicle dealers and the public are angry
they can do nothing about it!
David Lynn, CEO of the 400 member Independent Motor Vehicle Dealers Association (IMVDA) says investigations have
revealed that soggy vehicles are being imported and sold by illegal traders posing as private sellers.
Mr Lynn says the legitimate motor trade has called on successive Governments to provide consumer protection and clamp
down on illegal traders but there has been no action.
He says anyone buying a “new” import privately could unknowingly end up with a soggy vehicle and get badly stung.
Mr Lynn says IMVDA members were warned to be wary of soggy imports a month ago.
Japanese sources alerted the IMVDA when New Zealand interests were seeking flood-damaged vehicles and information was
immediately passed onto Land Transport Safety Authority, and the Minister of Customs and Consumer Affairs.
He says licensed dealers have been flooded with offers of water damaged vehicles but only one is known to have ordered a
shipment and he is not an IMVDA member. It is not known if those vehicles were subsequently shipped to New Zealand.
He says no self respecting IMVDA member would be seen dead selling soggy imports to the public because of the potential
risks. (more)
- Soggy imports – 2
An 0800 Dud Deal hotline established last month has brought in hundreds of complaints from car buyers ripped off by
illegal traders posing as private sellers.
Public calls to the IMVDA also reflected anger that soggy vehicles could be imported with impunity with no buyer
protection.
But at the same time the public just doesn’t seem to get the message, Mr Lynn says – buy an import privately and you can
get badly stung.
He says licensed dealers offer full protection of consumer legislation and access to a dedicated Tribunal in the event
of a dispute.
He says private sellers are not subject to Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal, do not pay GST or taxes, and are in it for a
quick buck.
He says imports for commercial resale should be restricted to licensed motor vehicle dealers in the interests of
consumers and road safety.
End end