Some 270 breaches of the Motor Dealers Act, Motor Vehicle Repairs Act, and the Business Names Act 2002, have been discovered in NSW, following Fair Trading checks on licensed motor vehicle repairers and auto dismantlers.
Of the 64 licensees which breached the acts, 26 of these were found to have serious breaches and were issued with 45 penalty infringement notices, totaling $25,540.
Fair Trading minister Anthony Roberts says the non-compliance rate was a disappointing 60%, and called on the industry to ‘lift its game.’
Forty-four licensees were issued with rectification notices, with 233 breaches detected for less serious offences relating to signage, licence particulars and licence number display.
One auto dismantler had 175 breaches and was issued with 10 penalty infringement notices.
“Serious offences relating to unlicensed conduct, non certificated tradesmen, not entering prescribed particulars in the register, failing to mark prescribed parts and not surrendering number plates to Roads and Maritime Services were detected as part of the inspections,” says Roberts.
“The motor vehicle industry must abide by the law. Fair Trading inspections will continue to catch out any non-compliance in the sector, for which there may be fines.”
Inspections were conducted in Byron Bay, Suffolk Park, Tyagarah, Mullumbimby, Tweed Heads, Chinderah, Cudgen, Duranbah, Bogangar, Hastings Point, Pottsville and South Golden Beach.
The minister says Fair Trading checks helped to educate the motor vehicle industry and reinforce the role of Fair Trading as a vigilant regulator, ensuring protection of consumers and traders.
Motor Traders’ Association of NSW CEO James McCall says the results were a sober reminder to traders that they must adhere strictly to the letter of the law.
