DODGY car dealers who tamper with odometers will face tougher penalties after the NSW introduced new reforms today.
The maximum fine for any dealer or repairer altering a car odometer has been doubled to $22,000 and a new official Name and Shame register for dealers will be established.
“Odometer readings are one of the major factors consumers look at when buying a used car,’’ said NSW Fair Trading Minister, Matthew Mason-Cox.
“Consumers will be able to make more informed decisions about who to do business with and the threat of public shaming will give traders stronger incentives to comply with the law.
“These changes form part of a comprehensive package of reforms, due to start on the 1 December, with the start of the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act," he said.
The Name and Shame register will allow consumers to check if a dealer or repairer has a current license and whether they have had disciplinary action or offences recorded against them.
Another help for car buyers under the new laws is that dealers will be required to disclose information about a vehicle being offered for sale.
This includes information on whether the car has suffered hail or flood damage, if there has been odometer interference and if major modifications have been made to the car that might affect future registration or insurance.
NSW Fair Trading inspectors will have new powers to issue orders to licensed dealers and repairers to fix faults without a consumer having to take legal action.
