It’s time to protect vulnerable South Australian from dodgy private vehicle sales
It is hard to argue against introducing common-sense safeguards that will save vulnerable South Australians thousands of dollars in repairs, writes Darrell Jacobs.
Do you remember when you first bought a car with your own hard-earned money?
Driven by desire and the dream of independence, young people often make emotional decisions.
A rite of passage for many, but cautionary tales abound.
My own son recently wanted to buy a sporty Nissan – the kind you might see in a Fast and the Furious film. He found one on Facebook Marketplace and so I went with him to have a look.
As we arrived, I could see the pressure mounting on him as he was informed by the seller that five other people were on their way to buy it.
Luckily for my son, his dad knows a bit about cars and after taking it to our trusted mechanic, we learned that not only was the vehicle leaking oil everywhere – it was also previously in an accident and welded back together.
But unlike my son, not everyone has the support of a knowledgeable friend or relative who can steer them from danger.
You might like
I hate to think of all the sons and daughters out there who have bought their own car, only to learn it is not what they thought it was.
In South Australia, three out of four vehicles are sold privately on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree, with no warranty or the protections of Australian Consumer Law.
Don’t worry about taking the matter to the police or Consumer Affairs either – they will only give you the bad news that it is a civil matter for the courts.
And dodgy private vehicle sellers who prey on the young and naïve know this.
South Australia is one of the last places in Australia without vehicle inspections. Put simply, we are the least protected and most vulnerable when it comes to buying a used car privately.
Time after time I hear stories of everyday South Australians saddled with hidden damage costing thousands of dollars in repairs.
This is not something you can see by walking around and kicking the tyres. To really understand what you are getting into, it must be put up on a hoist by a qualified and experienced mechanic.
Last month, independent member of parliament Frank Pangallo announced he would fix one of the largest unregulated markets in the state by requiring private vehicle sellers to present an inspection certificate before sale.
Stay informed, daily
As a long-time consumer advocate, Frank should be commended for his leadership on this issue.
I feel for Norwood father Joseph Gentile whose son bought a secondhand Audi “behind his back” before he could warn him to have it checked.
Joseph called the MTA looking for help after his son purchased an Audi Q5 from a private seller who claimed the vehicle was their wife’s car.
Within hours of picking up the vehicle, Joseph’s son noticed it was blowing white smoke from the exhaust.
They went back to the seller to raise the issue but the seller just laughed at them. After parting with their money, the seller knew there was nothing the Gentiles could do.
Sadly, Joseph had to spend a further $1,000 just to get the car running so his son could drive to work.
While some motoring enthusiasts and wannabe backyard mechanics argue we should continue the voluntary system of inspections, paid for by prospective buyers, the reality is we are failing to protect those that need our help the most.
It is hard to argue against introducing common-sense safeguards that will save vulnerable South Australians thousands of dollars in repairs, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis where people are doing it tough.
South Australians deserve to know what they are spending their money on.
Requiring the seller to get an authorised inspection prior to sale will hit dodgy private vehicle sellers immediately.
Judging by the shifting attitudes of ordinary South Australians on this issue, it is clear that people want to see action taken by our state’s leaders.
How many more South Australians like Joseph and his son need to be ripped off before we act?
It’s time we put South Australian consumers first.
Darrell Jacobs is the CEO of the Motor Trade Association SA/NT
