Dodgy car dealers are being put on notice as the WA government cracks down on sellers of faulty used vehicles.
Sellers will face big fines as a checklist is released to help buyers avoid purchasing a lemon.
WA resident Violet Saxton believed she was buying a new car she desperately wanted.
“I was looking for about a month and I sold my car and was looking for something different,” Saxon said.
She found a Facebook marketplace ad for a Mazda 3 last year and paid more than $4500 for a car she never received.
“I just saw photos, I don’t think the car was even real,” she said.
The mother is just one of 259 people scammed buying a vehicle online in the past three years.
Dodgy car dealers are being put on notice as the Western Australian government cracks down on sellers of faulty used vehicles
The government is cracking down after complaints jumped by 40 per cent in the past 12 months.
“This requirement applies to dealers so it won’t apply to private sales,” Tricia Blake from Consumer Protection said.
“That’s why we’re saying to be really careful, it’s wise to buy from a dealer.”
Authorities have warned consumers about specific dealerships with Ventura Autos receiving 136 complaints since 2016.
“We do our best to resolve those issues for the consumer,” sales manager James Mantiplay said.
“We engage the services of a third party to inspect our cars before they go out in the market.”
Up until now dealers selling faulty cars have escaped any punishment.
Buyers are encouraged to find out the vehicle's history, outstanding fines, any signs of odometer tampering or hidden flood damage and Marijuana back grounds
However when the new laws are in place before Christmas this year, they will face fines of up to $7000.
There is also a new checklist to help buyers avoid being taken for a ride.
Buyers are encouraged to find out the vehicle’s history, outstanding fines, any signs of odometer tampering or hidden flood damage.
Dealers are also now required to disclose whether a car has sustained serious damage and been repaired.
“Someone who has got nothing to hide is not going to worry about you taking the time to go through the checklist and make sure your car is safe,” commerce minister Sue Ellery said. Buy Weed Online Western Australia
