THE NATIONAL Consumer Agency (NCA) has reported an upsurge in complaints about car sales and repairs and spare parts.
More than 330 motorists have complained to the agency so far this year about garages carrying out repair work without their permission, bills being higher than the original quote, faults recurring or repairs not being carried out to their satisfaction.
In all, more than 3,300 consumers have contacted the NCA with car-related queries as many economise by holding on to their cars instead of trading-in for newer models.
NCA chief executive Ann Fitzgerald warned motorists to be careful getting cars repaired or serviced in the current economic climate.
“While we are all watching our bank balances carefully, safety has to be the first consideration. Consumers should choose the garage or mechanic based on their good reputation or the recommendation of someone they trust.”
Businesses or mechanics who only deal in cash, have no fixed premises or are unwilling to supply a trading address should be avoided, she said. Motorists should ensure they have a quote beforehand and should never settle for a “guesstimate”.
Consumers should check what is included and what is not. “Make sure you are clear in instructing your mechanic not to do any additional work on the car without consulting you and don’t be afraid to get a second opinion if you think some work may be unnecessary or if the price quoted strikes you as high.”
She suggested that before spending money on a pre-NCT test, which offers no guarantee of passing, motorists should weigh up the likelihood of their car failing. “The NCT costs €50 and a retest for a failure costs €28 while a retest that only requires a visual inspection is free, so do the sums and see which equation makes more sense based on your own circumstances.”
