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This report is part of the ECC-Net joint project 2015 on cross-border car purchase and registration.
What to look out for when you re
bargain hunting
CROSS-BORDER CAR PURCHASES
Report
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2Cross-border car purchase within the EU
Before purchase
What to look out for when bargain hunting 1516 Wheretofindgeneralinformationoncross-bordercarpurchases?17 Wheretofindinformationonprices?18 AvailabilityofoffersthroughouttheEU21 Checkingthelegitimacyoftheseller22 Identitycheck22 Locationcheck23 Reputationcheck23 Websiteandwebsitehistorycheck25 Cardetailchecks25 Findingoutthetruevalueofacar26 Howtocheckifanadvertisedcarhasbeenstolen27 RecurrentfraudsregisteredbytheECC-Netinthecarpurchasesector28 Thesaleofanon-existentvehicle
Intro
The European Consumer Centres Network 77 Background14 Objectiveofthejointproject
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3Cross-border car purchase within the EU
30 Afalsepromiseofapurchase39 Ifthesellerusesamarketplaceorotherintermediarywebsite, cantheconsumermakeaclaimagainsttheintermediaryincasesoffraud?41 Towhomshouldfraudbereported?
Paying for a car 4646 Methodsofpayment47 CashpaymentrestrictionsinEurope52 Dutytodeclarecashmovements58 Paymentcheckanddepositpayments59 Depositpayments61 Creditorloan:Doeswithdrawingfromacarpurchasecancelacreditcontract?
During Purchase
How to verify the quality of a car 7173 Vehicleinspections73 Legaltimeframeforvehicleinspections75 Isthesellerlegallyobligedtoprovideavehicleinspectionbeforesale?77 Whereisitpossibletofindatechnicalinspectioncentreinthecountryofpurchase?81 Isatechnicalinspectionrequiredforregistrationintheconsumer’scountryofresidence?85 Isatechnicalinspectioncarriedoutinthecountryofpurchaserecognised inthecountryofregistration?89 Checksontheseller’spremises91 Averagepricesofchecks
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4Cross-border car purchase within the EU
What should consumers look out for in the contract of sale? 9292 Formalrequirementsandmandatoryprovisions101 Whatdocumentationshouldbeprovidedbytheseller?101 Thecontractofsaleoraninvoice101 Registrationcertificate113 Proofthatacarisnotpawned115 Technicalinspectioncertificate115 Servicebook116 Historyofthecar
European Certificate of Conformity 117117 CarswithaEuropeanCertificateofConformity119 SituationintheMemberStates125 CarswithoutaCertificateofConformity126 Nationaltypeapprovalprocedures131 ThenationalapprovalproceduretobefollowedbyFrenchconsumers
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5Cross-border car purchase within the EU
After purchase
Driving the car home 134134 Temporaryplates137 SituationintheMemberStates149 Regularnationalplates149 SituationintheMemberStates154 Temporaryinsurancecover161 Otherwaysofgettingthecartotheconsumer’scountryofresidence164 Registrationofacarintheconsumer’scountryofresidence164 Insurance167 SituationintheMemberStates
Payment of VAT 172172 Definitionofnewandsecond-handcars177 VATratesintheEUandNorway178 HowandwheretopayVAT:thesituationintheMemberStates188 Registrationtax188 Nationalregistrationprocedures
Guarantees and warranties 214215 Thelegalguarantees215 Durationofthelegalguarantee219 Burdenofproofoftheexistenceofadefect
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6Cross-border car purchase within the EU
Recommendations 233233 Pricesandavailabilityofoffers234 Legitimacyofthetrader234 Cardetailchecks235 Qualitycheck236 Focus:clocking237 Responsibilitiesofonlineplatforms238 Towhomshouldfraudbereported?238 Meansofpaymentandrecourse239 Registrationcertificateandproofthecarisnotpawned239 EuropeanCertificateofConformity240 Temporaryplatesandtemporaryinsurance241 Registrationofthecarintheconsumer’scountryofresidence241 Insurance242 VATpayments243 Registrationprocess243 Registrationtax244 Guaranteesandwarranties244 AlternativeDisputeResolution(ADR),outofcourtbodiesintheMemberStates andtheEuropeanOnlineDisputeResolution(ODR)platform245 Cooperationwithotherstakeholders
The ECC-Net 246247 ContactdetailsoftheECCs
Commercial warranties 222
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The European Consumer Centres Network
TheEuropeanConsumerCentresNetwork(ECC-Net)consistsof30 centres(oneineachEuropeanUnion(EU)MemberState,NorwayandIceland).Itisco-financedbytheEUandbyeachoftheparticipatingstates.
TheaimoftheNetworkistoincrease consumer confidence in the European Internal Marketbyprovidingconsumerswithinformation on their rights under European consumer legislation,andbygivingthemadvice on, and assistance with the resolution of their cross-border complaints.As theECC-Netdealswithcross-borderconsumercomplaintsanddisputes,itisinauniquepositiontodocumenttheproblemsconsumersfacewhenshoppingwithintheEU.
Background
Theyear2015marksthe10thanniversaryoftheECC-Net.Overthelast10years,theECCshavereceivedmorethan650.000requestsforinformationaboutEUconsumerrightsandhelpedsome300000consumers.
TheECC-Netdealswithalargenumberofcross-borderconsumercomplaintseachyear.Ofthe93741instancesofcontactfromconsumersreceivedbytheECC-Netin2014,37609wereactualcomplaints(1)(anincreaseof16%from2013).
Thoughonly2.1%ofthecomplaintsreceivedbytheECC-Netin2014concernedpurchasesofneworsecond-handvehicles(carsandmotorcycles),this topic has been identified as a major concern among consumers, as the problems incurred by consumers when something goes wrong are considerable, with vehicles being expensive consumer goods and many consumers depending on them.
TheECC-Netthereforealso launchedapublicappeal forconsumertestimonialsvia itswebsites. Inall,373consumersfrom17countries(includingonefromtheUSA)answeredbetweenAprilandAugust2015.
(1) http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/solving_consumer_disputes/non-judicial_redress/ecc-net/docs/ecc_net_-_anniversary_report_2015_en.pdf
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/solving_consumer_disputes/non-judicial_redress/ecc-net/docs/ecc_net_-_anniversary_report_2015_en.pdf
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Consumer’s residence country
They all purchased a car in another EU Member State,Norway, Iceland and the USA (for a total of 24 countries).
Belgium74
France54
Sweden14
Finland204
Luxemburg3
Slovenia3
UK3
TheNetherlands
2
Austria2
Lithuania2 Latvia
1Estonia1
Poland1
USA1
Malta1
Romania1
Germany6
Total 373
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Car purchase country
Sweden19
France18
Estonia11
Spain12
Germany227
Lithuania3
Romania3
Ausria3
Latvia2
Poland2
Slovakia2
Greece1
Denmark1
USA1
Bulgaria1
Malta1
Norway1
Iceland1
Finland9
Italy9
UK7
Belgium16
TheNetherlands
18
Luxemburg5
Total 373
Consumersidentifiedinamultiplechoiceoption503problemstheyhadencountered.81consumersdidn’t encounter any problem. The main problems concerned respectively difficulties with theauthoritiesoftheconsumer’sresidencecountrywhenregisteringthecarpurchasedabroad(19.52%)anddoublepaymentofVAT(12.84%).Underthecategoryother(17.81%),especiallymanyFinnishconsumerscomplainedaboutalackoftransparencywithregardtonationaltaxestobepaidwhenregisteringacarboughtabroadinFinland.
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Did everything go well with the purchase?
(multiple choice possible)
Yes13,87%
No86,13%
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If you encountered difficulties, what were they?
Total 503
114
104
75
47
30
22
22
21
20
20
18
10
Difficul�es with the authori�es of your country when you registered/tried to register the car
Other, please specify
Double payment of VAT
The seller didn’t provide a Cer�ficate of Conformity (COC) for the car
Suspicious clauses in the sales contract (exclusion of legal guarantee, purchase presented as having been passed between two private individuals even if you purchased from a professional car dealer)
Difficul�es to obtain insurance cover for the way back home
Transit plates for the way back not recognized abroad
The car broke down shortly aer purchase and the seller refused to cover the repair
Vic�m of Clocking (manipula�on/winding back of the odometer)
The car broke down shortly aer purchase and the seller insisted that you bring back the car to his premises
Manufacturer guarantee not recognized in your country
The seller didn’t provide a registra�on cer�ficate for the car
ECCs’adviceisespeciallyvaluableinthepre-contractualphase,asmostofthequestionsfromconsumersrelatetotheperiodbeforetheactualpurchaseofacar.Also, ECCs try to emphasise preventive information in order to avoid consumer disputes. In2014,outofallcontactfromconsumers,2.8%ofinformationrequests(1574requests)concernedcross-bordercarpurchases.71.5%concernedpurchasesofsecond-handcars,against28.5%fornewcars.
Cross-border car purchases seem to be a major concern of European citizens consulting the ECCs and consumers need information on this subject. FromJanuary2014untiltheendofJune2015,thoseECCswhopublishinformationontheirrespectivewebsitesonthissubjectregisteredmorethan174000pageviewsordownloads(2).
(2) Thenumbersmightevenbehigher.SeveralECCsrelaunchedtheirwebsitesduring2014andcountedpageviewsonlyonthenewwebpages.ECCswithoutaccesstothesestatisticshavenotbeencounted.
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ECC-Net’s experience recorded in this report and backed by concrete case examples shows that cross-border car purchases in the EU could be made easier. Obstacles still exist and procedures differ within the EU, especially when it comes to bringing a car back to and registering it in a consumer’s home country.
Cross-border car purchase and registration has been a concern among European legislators for many years. They have tried to tackle this using various legal acts such as:
CouncilDirective1999/37/EContheregistrationdocumentsforvehicles;(3)
Regulation(EC)No1160/2005oftheEuropeanParliamentandoftheCouncilof6July2005amendingtheConvention implementing theSchengenAgreementof14 June1985on thegradualabolitionofchecksatcommonborders,asregardsaccesstotheSchengenInformationSystembytheservicesintheMemberStatesresponsibleforissuingregistrationcertificatesforvehicles;(4)
Directive2007/46/ECoftheEuropeanParliamentandoftheCouncilof5September2007establishingaframeworkfortheapprovalofmotorvehiclesandtheirtrailers,andofsystems,componentsandseparatetechnicalunitsintendedforsuchvehicles;(5)
EuropeanCommissioninterpretativecommunicationonproceduresfortheregistrationofmotorvehiclesoriginatinginanotherMemberState(2007/C68/04);(6)
ProposalforaRegulationoftheEuropeanParliamentandoftheCouncilsimplifyingthetransferofmotorvehiclesregisteredinanotherMemberStatewithintheSingleMarketCOM(2012)0164;(7)
SecondReportoftheCommitteeontheInternalMarketandConsumerProtectionontheproposalforaregulationoftheEuropeanParliamentandoftheCouncilsimplifyingthetransferofmotorvehiclesregistered in another Member State within the Single Market (COM(2012)0164 – C7-0092/2012 –2012/0082(COD))–A8-0028/2015;(8)
TheEuropeanParliamentendorsed, inMarch2014,anEUlegislative“RoadworthinessPackage”.TheRoadworthinessPackageincludedanewDirectiveontheperiodicalroadworthinesstestingofvehicles(Directive 2014/45/EU(9)), a newDirective on roadside inspections of commercial vehicles (Directive2014/47/EU(10)) and a Directive amending Directive 1999/37/EC on the registration documents forvehicles (Directive2014/46/EU(11)).Oneof theaimsof these rules is to improve road safetyand setminimumcommonrequirementsacrosstheEuropeanUnionfortheperiodicaltechnicalinspectionofmotorvehiclesandtheirtrailers;
Member Statesmust adopt and publish, by 20May 2017, the laws, regulations and administrativemeasuresnecessarytocomplywiththethreedirectivesandapplythosemeasuresasfrom20May2018.
Nationalandregionalpoliticalbodies,suchastheRégionAlsaceandtheConseilRhénan(whichismadeupofelectedrepresentativesfromtheFrench,GermanandSwissborderarea),havealsopickedupthesubject.In
(3) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32003L0127andhttp://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A31999L0037(4) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2005.191.01.0018.01.ENG(5) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32007L0046(6) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:52007SC0169(7) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2012:0164:FIN(8) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2015-0028&language=EN(9) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_127_R_0003(10) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_127_R_0005(11) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_127_R_0004
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_127_R_0003http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_127_R_0005http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_127_R_0005http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_127_R_0004http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32003L0127http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A31999L0037http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2005.191.01.0018.01.ENGhttp://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32007L0046http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:52007SC0169http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2012:0164:FINhttp://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2015-0028&language=EN
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addition,the“Franco-Germandialogueoncross-bordercooperation”includedthisasatopicinOctober2014basedoninformationprovidedbythehoststructureoftheECCsofFranceandGermany.
The “Centre Européen de la Consommation” (Centre for Consumer Protection in Europe), which hosts the ECCs
France and Germany, receives many information requests and complaints concerning purchases of vehicles and
their registration, especially in a Franco-German context. The practical experience of consumers shows that the lack
of harmonisation presents difficulties for consumers purchasing cars, especially across the French/German border.
InJune2013,onajointrecommendationofthehostorganisationoftheECCsFranceandGermanyandtheRégionAlsace,theConseilRhénan(12)adoptedaresolutionwhichwasthensubmittedasaconcreteproposaltotheFrenchandGermangovernmentsinorderto:
Obtainapositiononthenon-recognitionofFrench‘WW’temporaryplatesoutsideofFrance; Drawattentiontothemutualnon-recognitionofFrenchandGermanvehicleinspections; SimplifynationaltypeapprovalproceduresofcarspreviouslyregisteredinanotherMemberState.
InMarch2014,inalettersenttotheConseilRhénanandtheRegionAlsace,FrenchPrimeMinisterManuelVallsconfirmedthattwoofthoseproblemshavebeensolved:
AvalidvehicleinspectioncarriedoutinanotherMemberStateisnowrecognisedinFrance. Temporary‘WW’platescanbeusedoutsideofFrancewithintheEU(aclauselimitingtheuseofthose
platestoFrancehasbeendeleted).
On14October2014,ontheoccasionofthe5thFranco-Germandialogueoncross-bordercooperation,nationaltypeapprovalproceduresandexportofcarsfromFrancetoGermanywithoutexportplateswereidentifiedasmainissues.Simplificationofthoseproceduresispendingatthetimeofthisreport.
(12) http://www.conseilrhenan.org/fr/conseil-rhenan/
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Objective of the joint project
This joint project aims to provide in-depth insight into all information necessary for drafting a practical guide to cross-border car purchases by collecting practical and preventive information for consumers.As legislation is not harmonised throughout Europe, applicableEUandnationallegislationisexplainedandpracticaladviceisgiventoavoiddifficulties.
TheinformationprovidedinthisreportisbasedonthemostfrequentquestionsidentifiedfromtheECC-Net’scasehandlingexperienceandontheconsumertestimonialscollectedbymembersoftheECC-NetfromApriltoAugust2015.Itcoversevery step before, during and after purchase, including registration and driving in the buyer’s home country.
Thereportfocusesonbusiness-to-consumercross-bordercarpurchasesandexcludesmotorcyclesastheyaregoverned,onmanypoints,byspecificlegislation.
Itiscompletedbyaseparatebrochureforconsumersgivinggeneralrecommendationswhengoingcar bargain hunting (13) andcountryfactsheetsallowingconsumerstohavealltheinformationneededforpurchasingacarinoneandregisteringitananotherMember State of the EU and Norway (14).
The European Consumer Centre France has led this project in close cooperation with the ECCs of Bulgaria, Germany, Croatia, Italy, Lithuania, Poland and
Portugal which formed the working group for the project. 29 ECCs participated in the compilation of this report.
The views and interpretations reflected in this report are not those of the European Commission or the national funding bodies. They are solely those of
the working group based on conclusions in the reports cited and on the data and questionnaire answers submitted to the working group by all project
participants. This document is intended to present the information consumers might need for a successful car purchase abroad and registration in various
European countries at the moment of publication and in the most user-friendly manner possible.
It has no legal value and the working group will not be held liable for any loss or cost incurred by reason of any person using or relying on the information
in this publication.
(13) Link consumer recommendations(14) Link country fact sheets
http://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/en/consumer-topics/on-the-road/buying-a-car/cross-border-car-purchase-and-registration/http://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/en/consumer-topics/on-the-road/buying-a-car/cross-border-car-purchase-and-registration/
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What to look out for when bargain hunting
Before purchase
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Before purchase
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Where to find general information on cross-border car purchases?
AstheEuropeanCommissionstates,“TheSecond Hand Cars market hashadthelowestoverallscoreamongthegoodsmarkets inthe8th Consumer Markets Scoreboard (2012),whichwasthecasealso in2010and2011.Themarket isaffectedbyasymmetric information,whichexplains itsparticularly lowscoresontrust(lowestamonggoodsmarkets for threeconsecutiveyears); italso registered theworstperformanceofallgoodsmarketsonproblemsexperiencedbyconsumersandoncomparability.
ThisiswhytheEuropeanCommissionconductedastudy on the functioning of the market for second hand cars from a consumer perspective in the European Union.”(15).Thefourmainresearchissuesthatwereidentifiedandaddressedbythisstudywere:
1.Dealers’practicesandcompliancewiththeexistingregulatoryframeworkforsellingsecond-handcars;
2.Consumersandtheirsearchforasecond-handcar-informationsourcesandthedecision-makingprocess;
3.Problems,complaints,complainthandlinganddisputeresolution;4.Marketfeatures–supplyanddemandstructure,cross-bordertrade,prices.(16)
Consumers in every Member State can find information on cross-border car purchases. However, currently the information is dispersed among various sources and therefore difficult for consumers to follow. Also, most of the information concerns administrative or tax questions rather than practical consumer issues.
Whenitcomestocross-bordercarpurchases,consumerscanrefertotheYourEuropeportal(17)orseekadvicefrom YourEurope(18).Also,mostECCsprovideinformationontheirwebsites,andsomeinpaperpublications,butnotallarticlesorbrochurescoverallaspects.Somefocus,forexample,onfraudpreventionoradministrativeprocedures.WhenECCsdonotcoveraspecifictopic,theyusuallydirectconsumerstootherconsumerortradeorganisationsortoinformationpublishedbyMemberStateauthorities(19).
This joint project aims at compiling country fact sheets allowing consumers to find the main information for the country of purchase and registration easily.
(15) http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/market_studies/second_hand_cars/index_en.htm(16) Thestudy’sfindingsandrecommendationscanbeparticularlyusefulforsupportingMemberStates’policyinitiatives(e.g.awarenessraisingcampaignsonguarantees,morevigilantenforcementinrelationtoinformationprovision,measurestoprevent
odometerfraud).Theproposedremediestoimproveconsumerconditionsareaddressedtoarangeofstakeholders,suchastradersandtheirassociations,automobileclubs,consumerorganisationsandconsumersthemselves.(17) http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/index_en.htm(18) http://europa.eu/youreurope/advice/index_en.htm(19) Forexample,theLatvianRoadTrafficSafetyDirectorate(CSDD),incooperationwiththeStatePolice,haspublishedinfographicswithsuggestionsofwhattolookoutforwhenpurchasingsecond-handcars.
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/consumer_scoreboards/8_edition/index_en.htmhttp://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/market_studies/docs/2ndhandcarsreportpart1_synthesisreport_en.pdfhttp://europa.eu/youreurope/advice/index_en.htmhttp://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/en/consumer-topics/on-the-road/buying-a-car/cross-border-car-purchase-and-registration/http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/market_studies/second_hand_cars/index_en.htmhttp://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/index_en.htmhttp://europa.eu/youreurope/advice/index_en.htm
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Where to find information on prices?
InsomeMemberStates,itiseasyforconsumerstocompareandcheckpricesofnewandsecond-handcarsinthatcountryviawebsitesormagazinesofconsumerorganisations(20),tradebodiessuchasautomobileclubs,ordealershipsforthegeneralpublicortheirmembers.WhenitcomestocomparingpricesbetweendifferentEUMemberStates,thesituationoftenbecomestricky. Currently,thereisnocross-bordertoolforcomparisonofcarpriceswithintheEU.The“ReportoncarpriceswithintheEuropeanUnion”publishedannuallybytheEuropeanCommissionwasdiscontinued in2011, theCommissionconsidering that, “Whenthe reportwaslaunched,thereweremajorcarpricedifferencesamongMemberStates,anditwasmuchmoredifficultforconsumerstocomparepricesacrossborders.Sincethen,thesituationhasimprovedgreatly, inpartduetoenforcementactionbytheCommission,andalsothankstotheincreasedavailabilityofpriceinformationontheinternet.ThismeansthereisnolongeraneedfortheCommissiontoduplicatethisinformationintheCarPriceReport. (21)”.Nonetheless,theCommissionstudyonthefunctioningofthemarketforsecond-handcarsalsoincludedapricecollectionexercisewheresecond-handcarpricingdatawascollectedintheEU,IcelandandNorwayforninespecificcars(withacertainageandmileage).
In general then, consumers should conduct their own research by consulting different dealers, manufacturer advertisements and information online. As the standard equipment and technical features on a car may not be the same on all national markets, consumers must be thorough when comparing the price of a particular brand and model in different countries, so as to be sure that they are comparing cars with the same equipment, options and interiors.
Consumers should not only consider the price of the car, but all additional costs they will have to pay, such as taxes, including taxes for registering or owning a car, VAT(22), and, if applicable, environmental taxes or badges, etc.. In some cases, depending on the type of vehicle they purchase consumers may also be able to claim certain environmental bonuses.
(20) Forexample,http://www.anwb.nl/auto/zoekvergelijk/zoekauto,http://www.consumentenbond.nl/auto/autos-vergelijken,http://www.which.co.uk/cars/choosing-a-car/buying-a-car/car-comparison/,http://www.fdm.dk,http://www.deco.proteste.pt/motor/automoveis
(21) http://ec.europa.eu/competition/sectors/motor_vehicles/prices/report.html(22) Seealsopage172.
http://www.anwb.nl/auto/zoekvergelijk/zoekautohttp://www.consumentenbond.nl/auto/autos-vergelijkenhttp://www.which.co.uk/cars/choosing-a-car/buying-a-car/car-comparison/http://www.fdm.dkhttp://www.deco.proteste.pt/motor/automoveishttp://www.deco.proteste.pt/motor/automoveishttp://ec.europa.eu/competition/sectors/motor_vehicles/prices/report.html
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A Croatian consumer bought a car on the Internet in Germany.According to the informationpublishedon thewebsite, the caremitted122gofCO2perkilometre.However,afterreceivingtheoriginalcardocuments,theconsumernoticedthatthevehicleemitted135gofCO2perkilometre,whichputthecarintoadifferenttaxbracket.Thetaxbracketwasthemainreasonwhytheconsumerboughtthecar,asitmadeitmoreaffordabletoregisterthecarinCroatia.Asaresultofthetrader’s falseadvertising, theconsumerwasobligedtopayEUR850extra.WhencontactedbyECCGermany,theGermantraderadmittedthatthe informationpublishedonthewebsitewaswrongand,afterhavingreceivedacopyoftheCroatiantaxregulations,agreedtorefundtheEUR850.
Availability of offers throughout the EU
Offers made in one EU Member State are sometimes not open to consumers from another. This may relate to car purchases or accessory services such as commercial warranties. The ECC-Net report “Commercialwarranties–aretheyworththemoney?”(23)lookedatthenewandsecond-handcarsectorandatgeographicalrestrictionstocommercialwarranties(24).
(23) Concerningguaranteesandwarranties,seealsopage214.(24) Page84and88ffhttp://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/eu-consommateurs/PDFs/PDF_EN/REPORT-_GUARANTEE/Garanties_2014_FINAL.pdf.
http://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/eu-consommateurs/PDFs/PDF_EN/REPORT-_GUARANTEE/Garanties_2014_FINAL.pdf
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AnIrishconsumerwantedtopurchaseasecond-handcarfromanofficialcardealershipintheUK.TheconsumerpaidaGBP1000depositandthentransferredthebalanceofGBP35620.Aftera number of exchanges between the consumerandthedealerinconnectionwiththeconsumer’splaceof residence, thedate for theconsumer tocollect the car was eventually agreed upon andconfirmedbyemail.However,whentheconsumertravelledtothedealer’spremisesintheUKtopickupthecar,thedealerrefusedtoreleaseitastheconsumerpresentedanIrishpassport.Thedealerrefundedtheconsumerandstatedthat“thereasonfornotcompletingthesaleofthe[car]isbecause[the consumer] paid the funds from a bank insouthernIreland”.Theconsumerfeltdiscriminatedagainstandalsoexpressedhisdissatisfactiondueto the losses incurred as a result of processingbank transfers (bank fees and fluctuations inthe currency exchange ratewhichworked to hisdetriment), as well as the travelling expenses,such as flights and accommodation. FollowingtheinterventionoftheIrishandBritishECCs,thedealeragreedtoreimbursetheseexpenses,aswellaspayingcompensationfortheinconvenience.Intotal,theconsumerreceivedapaymentinexcessofEUR2000.Thedealershipalsoagreedtoretrainitsstafftoavoidsimilarsituationsinfuture,andtosellacartotheconsumerifsorequested.
AnAustrianconsumerwantedtobuyanewcarfromaDanishdealership.Due tohigh taxesin Denmark (25 % VAT, 180 % registration tax),thenetpriceofthecarwaslowerthaninAustria.As the consumerwanted to buy a new car*, hewouldhavetopaythenetpriceinDenmarkand,after importing the car to Austria, the VAT andconsumptiontaxinAustria.Thetotalpriceofthecarwouldbeverycompetitiveascomparedwithoffers on the Austrian market. The consumerwrote emails to 12 Danish car dealerships anddid not receive a single answer. On the phone,onetradertoldhimthattheyarenotallowedtosell cars to Austrian consumers. The consumerfelt discriminated against based on his placeof residence and asked ECC-Net to contact thecompany.Afteran interventionbyECCDenmark,theDanishsalesagentagreedtosellthecartohim.However,thesalesagentincreasedthenetpricetowhatitwouldhavebeeninAustria.Thus,theofferwasnolongerprofitabletotheconsumer.
*Onthedefinitionofnewandsecond-handcarsandtheconsequencesforVATpayments,seepage172.
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Extrawarrantiesadvertisedas covering thewholeEUoften seemveryattractive to consumers comparingpriceswithintheEU(25)andpurchasingcarsfromotherMemberStates,ortothosewantingtheircarrepairedinanotherMemberState,whenliving,forexample,inaborderregion.
Whatconsumersoftendonotseeisthatproducers’commercialwarrantiesandextrawarrantiesarecountryspecificandthecariscoveredbythewarrantyofthecountryofpurchase.SpecificoffersarethusforspecificmarketsandarenotappliedalloverEurope(26).Thedurationofthewarrantymayalsodifferfromonecountrytoanother.
Ifthen,oncethecarisbackintheconsumer’shomecountry,defectsbecomeapparent,theconsumerwillrequestapplicationofthecommercialwarrantyfromtherepaircentreinhis/herhomecountry.
AlthoughRegulationEU461/2010oncategoriesofverticalagreementsandconcertedpracticesinthemotorvehicle sector(27) allows consumers to have cars examined andmaintained by any dealer (brand dealer orotherwise),thesellerorproducerusuallyinvitetheircustomerstogotoanauthorisedrepairerforapplicationofthecommercialwarranty.InadifferentMemberStatefromtheoneinwhichacarwasbought,anyremediesdependon the goodwill of the repair centreor thenational representativesof theproducer.Quiteoften,consumersareconfrontedwithrestrictiveconditionsandnumerousexclusionssuchasgeographicallimitations.Whereassomecommercialwarrantiesallowtheconsumertocontacttheproducer’snearestpartner,othersimposeanobligationtocontacttheguarantorfirst,usuallytheproducer,tobeadvisedontherepaircentretocontactortowaitfortheproducertocontacttherepaircentre.Consumersaresometimesunawareofthisanddirectlycontactthenearestrepaircentre.Therepairer,eagertosecurethejob,mightnotinformtheconsumeroftheconditionsofmakingtherepairandasaresult,thecostsarenotcovered.
Article 20 of Directive 2006/123/EC on services in the internal market(28) prohibits discrimination based on nationality or place of residence unless directly justified by objective criteria.TheDirectivegivessomeexamplesofsituationswheredifferencesin“tariffs,pricesandconditionsarejustifiedforobjectivereasonsthatcanvaryfromcountrytocountry,suchasadditionalcostsincurredbecauseofthedistanceinvolvedorthetechnicalcharacteristicsoftheprovisionoftheservice,ordifferentmarketconditions,suchashigherorlowerdemandinfluencedbyseasonality,differentvacationperiodsintheMemberStatesandpricingbydifferentcompetitors,orextrariskslinkedtorulesdifferingfromthoseoftheMemberStateofestablishment.Neitherdoesitfollowthatthenon-provisionofaservicetoaconsumerforlackoftherequiredintellectualpropertyrightsinaparticularterritorywouldconstituteunlawfuldiscrimination.”
(25) Until2011theEuropeanCommissionpublishedanannualcarpricesreport,seealsopage17ofthisreport.(26) MemberStatesoftheEUnotoftheEuropeanEconomicArea,whereconsumersoftencannotbenefitfromanEUwarranty.(27) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32010R0461:EN:NOT (28) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32006L0123
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32010R0461:EN:NOThttp://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32006L0123
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Forfurtherinformation,consumerswhohavetheimpressionofbeingdiscriminatedagainstwithregardtopricesoravailabilityofoffersbasedontheircountryofresidence,cancontactthecompetentcontactpointsforconsumers: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/services/docs/services-dir/guides/bodies_designated_en.pdf.(29)
Checking the legitimacy of the seller
ECC-Net’s experience shows that consumers are mainly interested in price, and only very few check the identity of traderseventhoughthisisnotalwaysverydifficult,especiallyforon-premisespurchases.In2014,in44%ofcomplaintsrelatedtothepurchaseofneworsecond-handcarsorcycles,theitemhadbeenboughtonsite.
However,whenitcomestocross-borderdistancepurchases,whichaccountfor47%ofthe2014complaints,itisoftenmuchmoredifficulttofindoutabouttheseller.ManyofthestoriescollectedbytheECCsshowthatconsumersoftendonotchecktheidentityortheaddressofthesellerordonotknowhowto.
Before investing in a car, consumers should be as certain as possible that the seller is legitimate. Thepointsbelowwillnotenableconsumerstoavoidallrisks,buttheymaysetalarmbellsringingincertainsituations.
Inanycase,consumersshoulddocumentthepre-purchaseprocessbyprintingorsavingthemaindocuments,suchasorderconfirmations,invoices,generaltermsandconditions,e-mailexchanges,etc..
(29) TheECC-NetanalysedArticle20.2-andArticle21-relatedconsumercomplaintswhichitreceivedbetween2010and2012initsreport“EnhancedConsumerProtection–theServicesDirective2006/123/EC”.
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/services/docs/services-dir/guides/bodies_designated_en.pdf
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Identity check
WhenbuyingontheInternet,consumersshouldlookforallinformationindicatingtheidentityofthecompany/seller(namesofthecompanyanditsdirectors,headquartersorofficeaddress,telephonenumbers,etc.).
Oncethisinformationisgathered,itispossibletocheckthelegalexistenceofthetraderbeforepurchaseonpubliccompanyregistersorthoseofchambersofcommerceorcourts.Mostofficialcompanyregistershavebasicservicesavailableforconsumersfreeofcharge,butforspecificdocumentssuchasannualaccounts,theconsumermayneedtopay.
Consumersmayalsocallthecompanytogetanideaofitscustomerservice.
Sellers do not always respect the information obligation laid down in Directive 2000/31/EC on electroniccommerce(30)andthenationaltranspositionlawsconcerningcompanies’legalnotices.It is easy for fraudsters to take advantage of the situation by:
Usingdetailsandsometimesevenmirrorwebsitesoflegitimatecompanies; UsingfalseaddressesorP.O.boxes; Settingupseveralwebsites,onefortheallegedsellingcompany,onefortheallegedshippingcompany,
etc..
Location check
Oncetheaddressdetailsaregathered, publiclyavailablemapsandstreetviewsontheInternetallowconsumerstolocateaddresses.Iftheaddressseemstobeinapurelyresidentialarea,consumersshouldbeveryvigilant.
(30) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32000L0031:EN:NOT
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Reputation check
Consumersarealsoadvisedtocheckthereputationofaseller,forexampleonlineoronpubliclyavailablelistssuchasthoseofoutofcourtdisputesettlementbodies,toseeifthetraderisblacklisted(31).Eventhoughnotallcountrieshavelegislationonconsumerreviewsinplaceyet(32),andtheremightbesomefalseones,reviewscangiveanoverallpicture(33).
Consumersmayalsocontactconsumerprotectionbodiesandassociationstoseeiftheyhavealreadyreceivedcomplaintsagainstatrader.
Website and website history check
Consumers should check whether the website indicates the general terms and conditions and whethermandatoryrulesareincludedandwordedcorrectlywithnospellingmistakes,etc..Forexample,rulesonthelegalguaranteeandwithdrawal/coolingoffrightshouldbeincluded.
ThestudyconductedbytheEuropeanCommissiononthefunctioningofthemarketforsecond-handcarsfromaconsumerperspectiveintheEuropeanUnion(34)revealsthat“Between21and27%ofsurveyrespondentsdidnotreceiveinformationonCO2emissions,consumerrightstoalegalguarantee,maintenancecosts,safety/securityreputationofthecar,carmileagecheckstoverifyodometeraccuracyandaccidenthistory.Afurther12to19%wereunsurewhetherornottheyhadreceivedthisinformation.Only5%oftradersspontaneouslyprovidedinformationonconsumerrightstoalegalguarantee(mysteryshopping)(35).”
(31) See,forexample,theDanishConsumerOmbudsman’swebsitetocheckifasellerisblacklisted.(32) SuchasinFrance:http://www.afnor.org/en/news/news/2013/july-2013/a-world-first-france-adopts-a-standard-enabling-reliable-processing-all-online-consumer-reviews(33) Onconsumerreviews,seealsotheECC-Netreport“CanItrustthetrustmark”,page51ff:http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_food-safety/information_sources/docs/trust_mark_report_2013_en.pdf(34) http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/market_studies/second_hand_cars/index_en.htm(35) http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/market_studies/docs/factsheet_second_hand_car_04_web_en.pdf
http://www.afnor.org/en/news/news/2013/july-2013/a-world-first-france-adopts-a-standard-enabling-reliable-processing-all-online-consumer-reviewshttp://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_food-safety/information_sources/docs/trust_mark_report_2013_en.pdfhttp://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/market_studies/second_hand_cars/index_en.htmhttp://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/market_studies/docs/factsheet_second_hand_car_04_web_en.pdf
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Good to know
Fordistanceandoff-premisescontracts,theconsumerhastherighttoacoolingoffperiodofatleast14daysfromdelivery,unlessthecarhasbeenspecificallydesigned/customisedorspecificoptionsandaccessories have been integrated. However, consumers should beawarethatthecoolingoffrightdoesnotapplyifthefinalcontractissignedattheseller’spremiseswhentheconsumerpicksupthecar.
The datewhen awebsitewas set up and registeredwith the domain registry gives an indication of howtrustworthyitis.Themorerecentthecreationofthewebsiteandthemorecomplaintsreceived,themorecarefulaconsumershouldbe.
Itcanalsohelptocheckwithhistorysearchengineshowandwhenwebsiteshavebeenupdated,ortoverifythatthepicturespublishedhavenotbeentakenfromanotherwebsite.
Ifthesellerofferstousetheservicesofanescrowcompany,consumersshouldbejustasthoroughincheckingthisthirdpartyasincheckingtheseller.
A Danishconsumerwaslookingforasecond-handcaronaDanishintermediary web portal and found a competitive offer forDKK 40 000 (EUR 5 333 approx.) including Danish registration andinsurancepapers.Itseemedlikelythatthesellerwasaprivateperson,awomanwhohadbeenlivinginDenmarkbuthadnowmovedbacktotheUKduetoadivorce.ThiswasthereasongivenforthecarbeingintheUKandthewomanneedingthehelpofanescrowservicetocompletethetransaction.Shortlyafterwards,theconsumerreceivedane-mailconfirmingdeliveryofthecarandwithit,acontractforpaymentanddelivery.TheconsumerpaidadepositofDKK10000andsubsequentlyreceivedamessagesayingthatsomethinghadgonewrongbutthathecouldspeedthingsupbypayingtheremainingDKK30000.Hepaid,butthecarwasneverdelivered.ECCUKfoundthatthefraudulentescrowservicewasusingthedetailsofagenuinecompany,sothecasewasreportedtothepolice.Noamicablesettlementcouldbereached.
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Car detail checks
Togetanoverallfeelingfortheseller,itcanbeusefultoaskthemtosendalldetailsconcerningthecar(serialnumber,aphotocopyoftheowner’stitleofownership,odometerreadingandpurchaseinvoice).Consumersshouldavoidanysellerthatanswerssuchrequestssuperficiallyorevasively.
Finding out the true value of a car
More often than not, questionable adverts give a particularly attractive price or, if the price they give is close to the market average, it often includes free transport of the car to the consumer and back to the seller if the consumer does not like it. Given how the cost of the latter tends to be fairly significant, consumers should be encouraged to question this.
Especially in the second-hand car sector, it may be of interest for consumers to check the real value of the car. If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is! Inmostcountries,consumerswillhavetouseprivatewebsites.AutomobileClubsordealershipfederationsmightprovidesuchlists(36).Valuationsonprivatewebsitesmightnotalwaysbeaccurateastheyonlytakeaccountofgeneralinformationaboutthecar(brand,model,fueltype,productionyear).
However,someareverydetailedandprovideinformationaboutthehistoryofacarfromproductionyearandcountry,tofirstregistration,technicalinspectionsandrepairs,insuranceandwhetherithasbeenregisteredasstolen(37).
Some of these private initiatives have become reference points for professionals, from producers anddistributorstonotaries, lawyers,bailiffs,publicauthoritiessuchasthepoliceandtaxoffices,andeventheinsurancesector(38).
Public partners also now offer possibilities for carrying out such checks. For example, the Estonian RoadAdministrationhasanonlineservice(39) offeringabackgroundcheckonvehicles(40) whichtheyrecommendthatpurchasersusebeforebuying.Also, theSwedish Transport Agency (Transportstyrelsen)providesanonlineserviceforbackgroundchecksonvehicles(41).
(36) TheDutchMotoringAgencypublishesacarvalueindicator.TheSocietyoftheIrishMotorIndustry(SIMI)providesmonthlypriceguidesonitswebsite.Thepricesindicatedthereinareaguideanditisstatedthatcarsellersarefreetochargewhateveramounttheydeemappropriate.
(37) Forexample,https://www.carfax.eu/about-carfax.html,http://www.eurotaxglass.com/products-and-services/price-or-trade-used-vehicles/(38) http://www.largus.fr/cote/,http://www.schwacke.de/(39) https://eteenindus.mnt.ee/main.jsf(40) https://eteenindus.mnt.ee/public/soidukTaustakontroll.jsf(41) http://www.transportstyrelsen.se/Sms-tjansten-vem-ager-fordonet/
https://www.carfax.eu/about-carfax.htmlhttp://www.eurotaxglass.com/products-and-services/price-or-trade-used-vehicles/http://www.largus.fr/cote/http://www.schwacke.de/https://eteenindus.mnt.ee/main.jsfhttps://eteenindus.mnt.ee/public/soidukTaustakontroll.jsfhttp://www.transportstyrelsen.se/Sms-tjansten-vem-ager-fordonet/
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How to check if an advertised car has been stolen
A Swedish consumer purchased a used car. When he tried toregisterthecarinSweden,theSwedishTransportAuthorityfoundirregularitiesregardingthecar’soriginandrequestedaninvestigation.TheconsumeraskedaSwedishcompanytoperformaninvestigationandtheyfoundthatthecarhadbeenreportedstoleninItalyandthatthevehicleidentificationwasforged.Theconsumercomplainedtothesellerandwantedtocancelthesale,butthetraderwantedtheoriginalregistrationdocumentsback.TheSwedishTransportAuthorityrefusedtogivethedocumentsbacktotheconsumerastheywereforged.Theconsumer contacted the ECC-Net for assistance in getting awrittenresponsetohiscomplaintandcancellingthesale.
The trader finally agreed to reimburse the price indicated in thecontract if theconsumerreturnsthevehicleandoriginalpapers.ThisishoweverimpossibleastheSwedishpolicehasseized/confiscatedthecarandpapers(searchandseizure,SchengenInformationSystem(SIS))asitwasstoleninItaly.Furthermore,theconsumerclaimedthathehadpaidEUR29995wherasthecontractonlyindicatesEUR18800.Theconsumerisconsideringacourtactionfortheentireamountifthetraderdoesn’treimburseatleastEUR18800outofcourt.
Wheneveracarisregisteredinanationaldatabase,MemberStatepoliceand/ortransportauthoritieshaveaccesstothedataonthatcar.InseveralMemberStates,detailsareneededofthehistoryofthecarsonationalandinternationaldatabasesarescreened.
In some Member States, publicly available lists exist and can be accessed by consumers(42).
Iftheconsumersuspectsfraud,he/shemayinformthepolicewhocanthencheck.
(42) Forexample,http://www.police.gov.cy/police/police.nsf/dmlvehwanted_gr/dmlvehwanted_gr?OpenDocument(notupdated),http://coordinamento.mininterno.it/servpub/ver2/SCAR/cerca_targhe.htm,http://www.ic.iem.gov.lv/lv/node/483,theRDWdatabaseintheNetherlands,www.historiapojazdu.gov.pl,http://www.policija.si/seznami/ukradenavozila/uv_prikaz.php
http://www.police.gov.cy/police/police.nsf/dmlvehwanted_gr/dmlvehwanted_gr?OpenDocumenthttp://coordinamento.mininterno.it/servpub/ver2/SCAR/cerca_targhe.htmhttp://www.ic.iem.gov.lv/lv/node/483www.historiapojazdu.gov.plhttp://www.policija.si/seznami/ukradenavozila/uv_prikaz.php
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InotherMemberStates,primarilyonlytheauthoritiescanaccessregistrationdata,soseveralprivateinitiativeshavedrawnuplistsofstolencars.
ConcerningcarsregisteredinotherMemberStates,nationalauthoritiescanconsulttheotherMemberStates’vehicleregistersviaEuropeancaranddriving licence informationsystem(EUCARIS),“auniquesystemthatprovidesopportunitiestocountriestosharetheircaranddrivinglicenceregistrationinformationand/orothertransportrelateddatahelpinga.o.tofightcartheftandregistrationfraud.EUCARISisnotadatabasebutanexchangemechanismthatconnectstheVehicleandDrivingLicenceRegistrationAuthoritiesinEurope.EUCARISisdevelopedbyandforgovernmentalauthorities.”(43)
ThoughEUCARISwasoriginallybasedontheEUCARISTreaty(44),MemberStatescanalsoconnecttotheEUCARISvehicleinquiryserviceandaccessthevehicleregistersofotherMemberStatesonthebasisofaDeclarationofEndorsementandwithoutbecomingasignatorytotheTreaty.Forthetimebeing,notallMemberStatesusethisfunctionality.
Basedonbilateralormultilateralagreements,MemberStatescanalsoexchangedatawithoutgoingthroughEUCARIS.
It should be easy for consumers to obtain information about the legal status of a car before buying. This is currently impossible in most Member States.
Recurrent frauds registered by the ECC-Net in the car purchase sector
If in doubt, consumers shouldn’t buy as protection in fraud cases is very limited. Onceaconsumerfallsintosuchatrap,ifnochargebackmechanisms(45) areavailable,themoneytheyhavespentisalmostcertainlylost.
The procedures in place usually tend to protect the collective interest of consumers rather than givingcompensation to individual victims of fraud. Therefore, in order to provide consumers with preventive information, ECCs try to identify fraud schemes quickly and make them public. WhereassomeECCs“nameandshame”,othersoptforabroaderdescriptionofthecommercialpracticeemployedbythefraudster.
(43) https://www.eucaris.net/(44) https://www.eucaris.net/countries(45) Formoreinformationonchargeback,seetheECC-Netreport“ChargebackintheEU/EEA-Asolutiontogetyourmoneybackwhenatraderdoesnotrespectyourconsumerrights.”http://www.konsumenteuropa.se/globalassets/rapporter/chargeback_
report_en.pdfand“ChargebackintheEU/EEA-Legislationandtimelimits”http://www.cecbelgique.be/20150424/ecc-net-report-chargeback-in-the-eu-eea-legislation-and-time-limits-Attach_s83851.pdf
https://www.eucaris.net/https://www.eucaris.net/countrieshttp://www.konsumenteuropa.se/globalassets/rapporter/chargeback_report_en.pdfhttp://www.konsumenteuropa.se/globalassets/rapporter/chargeback_report_en.pdfhttp://www.cecbelgique.be/20150424/ecc-net-report-chargeback-in-the-eu-eea-legislation-and-time-limits-Attach_s83851.pdf
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At the same time, ECCs try to inform stakeholders about frauds of which they are aware. SeveralECCsworkcloselywiththeConsumerProtectionCooperation(CPC)Network(46)inordertoalertnationalauthorities.
ThroughcooperationagreementswiththeCPCauthority(ies)intheirrespectivecountriesorthepolice,ECCsinformpublicstakeholdersaboutfraud.Theymayalsocontactothernationalconsumerprotectionauthorities.
OnlyinNorway,evenforfraudcases,doesanoutofcourtdisputesettlementbody(47)receiveconsumerreports.
ThefollowingtypesofcasecanbefoundallovertheEUinvariousforms.
The sale of a non-existent vehicle
Anadvertisementforanattractivevehicleatabargainpriceisplacedonanintermediaryplatformandquicklyfindsabuyer.Thebuyerisimmediatelyinformedthatthesellerandthevehiclearenotlocatednearbyanditwillbedifficulttomakeanappointmentforthesale.
To“reserve”thevehicle,thesellerrequirespaymentofadeposittoprovethebuyer’sinterest.Thebuyerisinvitedtouseamoneytransferserviceorabanktransfertoanaccountbasedinanothercountryandgenerallyopenedinthenameofaprivatepersonora“falsecompany”.Cashmoneyservicesallowmoneytobewithdrawnanonymouslyandarethereforeextremelyriskyiftheconsumerdoesnotknowtherecipient.
Toreassurethebuyer,thefraudstersmightsendfalsifiede-mailssuggestingthattheintermediaryplatformrecommendssuchamethodoftransferof funds,orguaranteesarefund intheeventofaproblem.Thesemessageslookjustliketherealmessagesthistypeofintermediarywebsitewouldsend,butobviouslytheydonotcomefromtheintermediaryasintermediariesneverintervenedirectlyinasale.Veryoften,theconsumerisredirectedtothewebsiteofafakeescrowortransportcompanywhichmighthelpwiththetransferofthecartotheconsumer’scountry.Again,fakeemailsaresenttothebuyertostrengthentrust.
Finally,fakesellersdonothesitatetosendtheirvictimscopiesofstolenidentitycardsorfamilyphotoscollectedontheinternet.
Oncethemoneyistransferred,thesellerdisappears.
Manyintermediarywebsitesspecialisingincarshaveissuedwarningsontheirsitestopreventsuchfrauds.Inseveralcountries,criminalproceedingsareongoingtotrytotracetheperpetrators.
(46) http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/enforcement/index_en.htm(47) ForfurtherinformationonADRschemesavailableinthecarsector,seepage224.
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/enforcement/index_en.htm
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Consumersshouldbeawarethatintermediarywebsiteswillnevercontactthemtointerveneinatransaction.Theydonotrecommendspecificpaymentmethods,nordotheytrytotalktheconsumerintoasale.
AnIrishconsumerintendedtobuyacarviaawebsitepurportingtobeoperatedbyacarauctioneerbasedintheUK.HepaidGBP8000bybanktransferbutnocarwaseverdelivered.Theconsumerturnedto ECC Ireland for assistance, only to be told that the website hadbeenregisteredjustmonthsbeforethetransactionandusedgraphicmaterialsandvehiclespecificationsfromanothersite,andthattherewere other irregularities in connection with its own content andadvertisingchannels.Noamicablesettlementcouldevenbeattemptedgiventhesefindingsandthematterwasreferredtothepolice(ActionFraud), who liaised with the UK National Fraud Intelligence Bureauas well as the Metropolitan Police Service’s Criminal InvestigationDepartment.Accordingtothepolice,theyhadreceivedreportsfrom40victimsinrelationtothisfraud.
A Bulgarianconsumer looked foracarand likedonehe foundonan intermediarywebsite.Hecontacted thesellerbyemail,whoreplied.Theconsumeraskedhowhecouldbestexamineandbuythecar.ThesellerproposedtheservicesofatransportcompanyandaUKcourier.This thirdpartywould transfer themoney to theselleronlyafterreceiptofthecarandiftheconsumerclearedthetransaction.Thecarwasnotdeliveredontime. InsteadthesellersentanotheremailaskingforanadditionalEUR4900foraninsurancepolicyrequiredtogetthecaracrosstheEstonianborder.Theconsumerwastoldthatifhepaid,hewouldreceiveaEUR500discount.Theconsumerrealisedthatitwasascamandaskedforhismoneyback.Thesellerrepliedthatifhedidnotpay, thedealwouldbecancelledandnomoneywouldbereturned.Nofurthercommunicationcouldbeestablishedwiththeseller.ECCBulgariaandECCUKworkedtogetheronthiscase,butthesellerneverreplied.
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A false promise of a purchase
Forthistypeofscam,theprincipleisinvertedwithregardtothescamdescribedabove.AnindividualplacesanadvertisementontheInternettosellacarandisquicklycontactedbyaninterestedbuyerwhodoesnotliveinthesamecountry.
Paymentforthevehiclemustthereforebemadeatadistance,butthisisnotaproblemforthebuyerwhowritesa(stolen)chequeissuedbyaforeignbanktotheseller.Thevalueofthechequeexceedsthepriceofthecar,usuallybyseveralthousandeuros.Thefakebuyerexplainsthattheadditionalamountshouldbeusedtopayforaservicefacilitatingthetransaction(mechanicalexpert,carrier,agenttomakethepurchaseonbehalfofthebuyer).
Oncethevalueofthechequeiscreditedtotheaccountoftheseller,thescammerasksthesellertopaya(false)companyfortheaforementionedservicesbycashtransfer.Therecipientofthepaymentisactuallyanaccomplice,oreventhefakebuyerinperson.
Somedayslater,theseller’sbankdiscoversthatthechequeisstolen,butitisalreadytoolate...
Thesellershouldonlyacceptchequesforthecorrectamountanddeliverthecar2to3weeksaftercashingthechequesothatthebankcanverifythetransaction.
Ifindoubt,he/sheshouldaskforacopyofthebuyer’sidentitycardorpassport,certifiedbytheembassyorconsulate.
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Focus: clocking
Clocking involves winding back the odometer on a high–mileage used car, usually to increase its apparent value.Itisquiteeasytodowithmechanicalordigitaltoolswhicharewidelyavailableviae-commerce.Thesaleofthistypeoftoolisnotprohibited,buttheiruseisrestricted.
Asidefromthepricemanipulation,clockingputsthesafetyofroadusersatriskasthemorewearandtearonacar,thehighertheriskofabreakdownoraccident. It therefore makes sense to check, as far as possible, the real mileage of a car before buying.
A CzechconsumerboughtacarinSweden,fromacardealeractingasanintermediaryforaprivateseller.Thecarwaspresentedasnever-wrecked with 53.200miles. The car broke down in GermanyduringthewaybacktotheCzechRepublic.Theconsumersentthecarto inspectiontofindout that thecarwaswrecked,andthemileagedifferent–alreadyin2011thecarhad113.180milesaccordingtotheinspection.
A FrenchconsumerboughtacarfromaBelgiumdealerwithofficially145.000kmontheodometer.Thecarbrokedownduringthewaybackhomeandwascheckedbyabranddealer inFrance.Thisgarageinformedtheconsumerthecaralreadyshowed265.000kmsixmonthsbeforethepurchase.ECCBelgiumnevergotanyresponsefromthesellerandnosolutioncouldbefoundthroughtheECC-Net.
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Clocking – an illegal practice?
Clocking is illegal in 26 European countries:Austria(48),Belgium,Bulgaria(49),Croatia(50),CzechRepublic,Denmark,Estonia,Finland,France(51),Germany(52),Greece(53),Hungary(54),Ireland(55),Italy(56),Lithuania,Luxembourg,Malta,Netherlands(57),Norway(58),Poland(59),Romania,Slovakia(60),Slovenia(61),Spain(62),SwedenandUK.
Sanctions differ considerably from one Member State to another. InGermany,clockingispunishableby1yearinprisonorafine.InFrance,itispunishablebyupto2years’imprisonmentandaEUR37500fine,whileinSlovakia,thefineisjustEUR266.
Inordertomakeaclaim,theconsumerwillusuallyhavetostartcriminalproceedingswhicharecomplex,costlyandlong,especiallyinacross-bordercontext.Theconsumerwillalsohavetoprovidefactualevidenceofthefraudandoftheintentofthesellertoprovidefalseinformation.
It is not illegal in 3 Member States: Cyprus, Latvia(63) and Portugal.
TheAssociationofEuropeanVehicleandDriverRegistrationAuthorities(EReg)submittedareportonthetopicinApril2014(64) expressing theview that, “Mileage fraud isa real societalproblem inEurope.”Oneof therecommendationsofthereportwasthat,“MileagefraudshouldbeconsideredasaseriouslegaloffenceineveryMemberState.”
(48) Basedon§146oftheAustrianCriminalCodewithregardtofraud(“Betrug”)andtheprovisionsoftheAustrianCivilCodewithregardtomisdirectionanddeceit(“Irreführung”,“ArglistigeTäuschung”,§871ABGB,§870ABGB).(49) Basedonthenationallawfortheprotectionofconsumers(unfaircommercialpractices)andtheCriminalCode.(50) BasedontheConsumerProtectionActandCriminalAct.(51) BasedonArticle3-Décretn°78-993du4octobre1978,ArticleL213-1duCodedelaConsommation(deceit,“fraudesetfalsificationsenmatièredeproduitsoudeservicesencequiconcernelesvéhiculesautomobiles”and“délitdetromperie”).(52) Basedon§22bStVG,punishableby1yearinprisonorafine.(53) Basedonarticle386oftheGreekpenalcode.(54) BasedonActCof2012ontheCriminalCode,Section348“Anypersonwho,forunlawfulfinancialgain,manipulatestheodometerreadingofamotorvehiclebycompromisingthereadingmechanismofthedeviceitselfortheprocessofmetering,or
disengagestheodometerinanyway,isguiltyofmisdemeanourpunishablebyimprisonmentnotexceedingoneyear,insofarastheactdidnotresultinamoreseriouscriminaloffence.”(55) BasedontheConsumerProtectionAct2007.Itisanoffencetotamperwithanodometer,ortoprocuresomeoneelsetotamperwithoneundertheRoadTrafficAct2014.(56) Basedonarticle640oftheItalianCriminalCode.(57) Basedonarticle70moftheRoadTrafficAct1994.(58) BasedonStraffeloven§270(criminallaw).(59) Whereitcanbetreatedeitherasanerrororlackofintentfromtheconsumertopurchaseacarinthisconditionorasafraudbasedonarticle286ofthePolishPenalCode.(60) WhereitcanbesanctionedwithafineofEUR266.(61) BasedontheSlovenianPenalcode,article211.(62) Basedonarticle248oftheSpanishPenalCode.(63) However,inFebruary2015,theLatvianParliamentdiscussedamendmentstotheLatvianAdministrativeViolationsCodewhichforeseeprosecutionofindividualsandlegalpersonsfordeliberatedistortionofcarodometers(increasingordecreasingthe
recordedmileage).TheamendmentsforeseefinesforindividualsofuptoEUR100,andforlegalpersonsofuptoEUR1000.(64) https : / /www.goog le . com/ur l ? sa= t&rc t= j&q=&es rc= s&source=web&cd=2&cad= r j a&uac t=8&ved=0CCEQF jABahUKEw iApOC6rZL IAhUBVRQKHXm9C4E&ur l =ht tps%3A%2F%2Fwww.e reg -a s soc i a t i on .
eu%2Fdownloads%2Fpublic%2Fgeneral%2FPublications%2FFinal%2520reports%2520Topic%2520Groups%2FFinal%2520Report%2520EReg%2520Topic%2520Group%2520XIII%2520-%2520Vehicle%2520Mileage%2520Registration.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFuc1DqKrJm6s0BziOpnV0fIyMNsQ&sig2=Jw4f7McWMYZIctDqbrxFTA&bvm=bv.103627116,d.d24
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Initiatives to prevent clocking
AsclockingisanissueoftenseenbyECCs,manyprovidespecificinformationonthistopicontheirwebsite.Also,public serviceshave taken this subjectonboard. Forexample, theBelgianFederalPublic Service fortheEconomypublishedabrochureonodometerfraud(http://economie.fgov.be/fr/modules/publications/general/carpass_folder_fr.jsp)andledaninformationcampaigntogetherwiththeBelgianConfederationofMotorVehicleDealers,RepairersandOperatorsinRelatedSectors(http://www.vuesurvotregarantieauto.be/go.to/modix/now/home-frbe.frbe.html).
AutomobileclubsthroughouttheEUhavealsoraisedawarenessofthisissueamongstakeholders(65).
The French enforcement authority has carried out 5 543 checks over the last 3 years and launched legalproceedingsin146cases.Anationwideinspectioncampaignisforeseenfor2015(66).
At EU-level, Directive 2014/45/EU(67)which is part of the “Roadworthiness package(68)”, repealingDirective2009/40/EC(69),aimstofightodometermanipulationandforeseesthat,odometerfraudshouldberegardedasapunishableoffence,becausemanipulationofanodometermay leadtoan incorrectevaluationof theroadworthinessofavehicle.The recordingof themileage in the roadworthinesscertificateandaccess forinspectors to that information should facilitate the detection of odometermanipulation. The exchange ofinformationonodometerreadingsbetweenthecompetentauthoritiesofMemberStatesshouldbeexaminedbytheCommission.
AccordingtotherecommendationsoftheEuropeanCommissionstudy on “the functioning of the market for second hand cars from a consumer perspective in the European Union”(70),and“AccordingtotheprovisionsofDirective2005/29/ECconcerningunfairbusiness-to-consumercommercialpractices(71),inparticularArticles6and7,acommercialactshouldnotcontainfalseinformationaboutaproduct’smaincharacteristicsandshouldnotomitmaterial informationthattheaverageconsumerneedsinordertotakeaninformedtransactionaldecision.Inaddition,accordingtotherecentlyadoptedRoadworthinessPackageandDirective2014/45/ECinparticular,odometerfraudshouldberegardedasanoffenceliabletopenalties.However,resultsofthestudyshowthattradersofsecondhandcarsdonotalwayscomplywhenitcomestoinformingprospectivebuyersabouttheaccuracyofacar’sodometer.Inthatrespect,thestudysuggeststhattradersofsecondhandcarsshouldprovidemorereadilyinformationoncarmileagecheckstoverifytheodometeraccuracyandwithmore
(65) TheGeneralGermanAutomobileClub(ADAC),forexample,claimsthatoneverythirdusedcarsoldinGermany,theodometerhasbeenmanipulated.ValuesareinflatedbyanaverageofEUR3000acar,leadingtoanoveralllossofapprox.EUR6000000000inGermany.PartoftheADACinitiativeinvolveslobbyingEuropeanstakeholdersinordertointegrateprotectionagainstmanipulationofodometersintoEUtypeapprovalrules.MoreinformationinGerman:https://www.adac.de/infotestrat/fahrzeugkauf-und-verkauf/gebrauchtfahrzeuge/tacho-manipulation/default.aspx?prevPageNFB=1andhttp://www.fr-online.de/auto/tuev-rheinland-tacho-betrug-erschuettert-vertrauen-in-handel,1472790,32227104.html
(66) http://questions.assemblee-nationale.fr/q14/14-77805QE.htm(67) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_127_R_0003(68) TheRoadworthinessPackagecontainsDirective2014/45/EUonperiodicroadworthinesstests,Directive2014/47/EUontechnicalroadsideinspectionsforcommercialvehiclesandDirective2014/46/EUonvehicleregistrationdocuments.(69) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2012/0184%28COD%29(70) http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/market_studies/second_hand_cars/index_en.htm(71) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2005:149:0022:0039:EN:PDF
http://economie.fgov.be/fr/modules/publications/general/carpass_folder_fr.jsphttp://economie.fgov.be/fr/modules/publications/general/carpass_folder_fr.jsphttp://www.vuesurvotregarantieauto.be/go.to/modix/now/home-frbe.frbe.htmlhttp://www.vuesurvotregarantieauto.be/go.to/modix/now/home-frbe.frbe.htmlhttp://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/market_studies/docs/2ndhandcarsreportpart1_synthesisreport_en.pdfhttps://www.adac.de/infotestrat/fahrzeugkauf-und-verkauf/gebrauchtfahrzeuge/tacho-manipulation/default.aspx?prevPageNFB=1https://www.adac.de/infotestrat/fahrzeugkauf-und-verkauf/gebrauchtfahrzeuge/tacho-manipulation/default.aspx?prevPageNFB=1http://www.fr-online.de/auto/tuev-rheinland-tacho-betrug-erschuettert-vertrauen-in-handel,1472790,32227104.htmlhttp://questions.assemblee-nationale.fr/q14/14-77805QE.htmhttp://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_127_R_0003http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_127_R_0003http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_127_R_0005http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_127_R_0004http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?lang=en&reference=2012/0184%28COD%29http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/market_studies/second_hand_cars/index_en.htmhttp://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2005:149:0022:0039:EN:PDF
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trustworthymeansthansimplyofferingverbalassuranceoraskingconsumerstovisuallychecktheodometerthemselves.Asbefore,MemberStatesarecalleduponformoreeffectiveenforcementoftheexistingconsumerlegislation;“.
AccordingtoEReg,“Mostofthosecountriesthinkthatthereisaneedofmileageregistration: duringtheroadworthinessinspection; eachtimethecargoestothegarageforrepairandmaintenance,soduringthelifetimeofthevehicle; ontheinvoicewhenthecarissold(guaranteeforthebuyer).”
EReghasidentifiedEUCARIS(72)asthe“appropriatetooltoexchangemileagedata”.
However, these proposals do not provide for consumers or organisations acting on behalf of buyers to obtain such information before purchasing.
AlthoughmostMemberStatesrequiremileagetobenotedduringperiodicalinspections,itiscurrentlyquitedifficultforconsumerstoaccessthisinformationevenafterpurchasetoverifytheinformationprovidedbytheseller.Inmostcases,theywouldneedtohaveanindependentcheckofthecarcarriedout(73).
However,thesellerwillhavetoagreetosuchacheckbeforepurchase.Theconsumermayalsoaskthesellerifsuchacheckhasalreadybeenperformed.
In Germany for example, the « Gebrauchtwagenuntersuchung » costing about EUR 70, can be carried out on a used car together with the technical inspection and is likely to show up the car‘s real mileage.
(72) Seealsopage26.(73) Seealsopage73ontechnicalcontrolsandindependentexpertopinions
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Thecarowner’smanualorservicebookcangiveanindicationofthecoherenceoftherecordedmileagewiththeageofthecaratthetimeofchecksandservices.
Insomecases,agaragemightbeofassistanceinaccessingtheelectronicservicebook.InLatvia,theRoadTrafficSafetyDirectorate(CSDD)checksthemileagewhenacarisregisteredandduringCSDDtechnicalinspections.However,thisrequiresthattheconsumerhaveaccesstothecartotakeittoaservicecentre.Itisquiterarethatconsumerscanhavethatkindofaccesstoacarwhentheyarestilldecidingwhethertobuyit.
Only in five countries does it seem possible to find pre-purchase mileage information:
IntheUK,consumerscancheckthemileageusingtheMOTschemerecords: https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-status.
InBelgium,sinceDecember12006(74),consumerscanbenefitfroma“Car-Pass”whicheveryseller(privateorprofessional)ofausedcarhastoprovidetothebuyer.TheCar-Passhastobecreatedunder2monthsbeforesale.Itindicatesthemileageofthecaratthetimeswhenitunderwenttechnicalinspections,repairs,etc..IftheCar-Passisnotprovided,theconsumercanaskforcancellationofthesale.MoreinformationisavailableonthewebsiteoftheBelgianFederalPublicServicefortheEconomy(75).
IntheNetherlands,asimilarsystemexists.TheNationaleAutoPas(NAP)registersthemileageateveryperiodictechnical inspection.AsofJanuary2014,theNAPdatabase ismanagedbytheDutchtransportauthority–RijksdienstvoorWegverkeer (RDW).
OnthewebsiteoftheSwedishTransportAgency, consumerscanfindthedateofthelastapprovedtechnicalinspectionandmileageatthattime.
InHungary,itisalsopossibletocheckcertaindetailsofthecarpre-purchase.Tousetheserviceitisnecessarytoregisteronacentralwebsite(76)anddetailscanbeaccessedforafee(HUF275(~EUR1)/vehiclebutaminimumofHUF625(~EUR2)isdue).Registereduserscangetaccesstoinformationsuchasthelicenceplatenumber,themakeofthevehicle,mileageandwhetherthecarisallowedtobedrivenontheroad.Theycanalsocheckwhetherseveralothertypesofdetailinthevehicledocumentsmatchwiththoseintheregistry(numberoftheregistrationcertificate,yearofmanufacture,dateofthefirstregistration,weight,fueltype).PaymentcanbemadeonlinewithabankcardandtheresultismadeavailableinPDFformat.
TheEuropeanParliamentresolutiononCARS2020:towardsastrong,competitiveandsustainableEuropeancarindustry“CallsontheCommissiontotakemeasures,incooperationwiththeMemberStates,toensureahighlevelofconsumerprotection,transparencyandsafetyinthesecond-handcarmarket,andtoworktowardsagradualphasing-outofpollutingandlesssafevehicles;commendstheCommission’srecommendationinthe
(74) TheCar-PassisestablishedbylawandaRoyalDecree.(75) http://economie.fgov.be/fr/consommateurs/Car-Pass/#.VcSppvmNNv0(76) http://kekkh.gov.hu/gepjarmuadat-lekerdezo/canbeconsulted.
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-statushttp://www.car-pass.be/http://economie.fgov.be/fr/binaries/CarPass_folder_fr_tcm326-28738.pdfhttp://kekkh.gov.hu/gepjarmuadat-lekerdezo/
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roadworthiness testing regulation to requiremileage recordingateach test; considers that initiatives suchasthe‘CarPass’schemeinBelgiumcouldbeencouragedbyaEuropeanStandard;notesthatre-registrationproceduresforvehicletransfersmustalsodiscouragecross-bordermileagefraud”(77).
InFrance,amileagecheckispossiblebutonlyafterregistrationofthecar.ForeveryregisteredcarthatpassesatechnicalinspectioninFrance,consumerscanrequestdetailsoftheinspectionscarriedoutinFrancefromtheTechnicalUnionfortheAutomobile,MotorcycleandCycleIndustries(UTAC-OTC),byprovidingacopyoftheregistrationcertificateintheconsumer’snameandacopyofhis/heridentitycard(78).ThetechnicalinspectionsperformedinFranceincludedetailsofmileage,allowingconsumerstodiscoverdiscrepancieswithouthavingtoorganisechecks.
Ifaconsumersuspectsthattheyhavebeensoldacaronwhichthemileagehasbeenmanipulated,theycanreportthecasetothepolice,theprosecutororthecompetentenforcementauthorityforconsumerprotectionortransport.IncountriessuchasNorway,outofcourtdisputesettlementbodiesmightbeavailable.
(77) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+REPORT+A7-2013-0391+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN(78) http://www.utac-otc.com/fr/ctvl/faq.asp#q8
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+REPORT+A7-2013-0391+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN
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Can a contract be cancelled or amen-ded for clocking?
Cancellationofacontractof sale in instancesofclockingmayneedtobepronouncedbyacourt inacivilprocedure.Hereagain,thesituationintheMemberStatesvariesconsiderably.
InFrance,thecivilcodeallowsaconsumertoaskforcancellationofasalebasedonhiddendefects if theconsumercanprovethatthemileageindicatedinthecontractdoesnotcorrespondtotherealmileage.Acourtcanpronouncethecancellationofthecontractevenifthesellerdidn’tknowaboutthemanipulation.Iftheydid,furtherdamagescouldbeawardedtotheconsumer.
InGermany,cancellationofthecontractisonlypossibleiftheconsumercanprovethemanipulationandtheintentoftheseller.GiventhatmanycarsalecontractsinGermanycontainclausessayingthattheindicatedmileageisjustanestimationandtherealmileageisnotknown,recoursebecomesdifficult.
AsageneralruleinAustria,Belgium,Croatia,CzechRepublic,Denmark,Estonia,Finland,France,Germany(79),Greece,Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,Malta(80), Netherlands(81), Norway(82), Poland,Romania,Slovakia,Slovenia,SwedenandUKconsumersmaybeabletocontestthevalidityofacontractbasedonfraud,non-conformity,hiddendefectsorlackofconsent.
InPortugal, given that theodometer isonlyone sourceof informationabout the car andotherelementscanbetakenintoconsideration,itisverydifficultorevenimpossibletocancelapurchasebasedsolelyonadiscrepancyinthemileage.
(79) Ifthesellerknewaboutthemanipulation.(80) Ifthesellerknewaboutthemanipulation.(81) Basedonabsenceofconsent.(82) Aslongasthesellerdidnotnotifytheconsumerinadvance.
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Focus: cloning
Cloning involves giving a car the identity of another, already registered, car using either the plate number or the identification number. In some cases, the plate number is an invention and doesn’t correspond to that of another registered vehicle.
Consumersmaybealertedtothiswhencarshoppingbypriceswhicharesubstantiallylowerthanthoseofcomparablemakesandmodels.
Toavoidcloning,(inasfaraspossible,asitisusuallyperformedbywell-organisedcriminals)consumersshouldrequestacopyofthecar’svehiclehistoryreportbeforepurchaseandlookoutformistakesinthevehicle’spapers.Theyshouldalsovisitthedealershipandcheckthecarinperson,lookingoutforanysignoftamperingwiththeregistrationplates.
If consumers are offered a cloned car, they should contact the local police immediately.
Unfortunately,consumersoftenonlyrealisethattheyhavefallenvictimtocloningafterpurchase,whentheyreceivenoticesaboutunpaidparkingticketsorspeedingoffences.
Ifconsumersreceiveanysuchnotice,theyshould contest itbyprovidingacopyoftheregistrationpapersoftheirvehicleandpersonalidentification.
InFrance,a consumerwho receivesanoticeof thiskind,a “procèsverbal (PV)”,whichgives their vehicleregistrationnumberbutadifferentmakeormodelofcarhas45daysfromreceivingthePVtocontestit.Theyshoulddothisbysendingacopyoftheregistrationcertificate(“cartegrise”)togetherwithawrittennoteontheformprovidedstatingthatthevehicleidentifiedonthePVdoesnotbelongtothemtothepublicprosecutor’soffice“OfficierduMinistèrePublic(OMP)”.
Ifthemakeandmodelareidenticaltothoseoftheconsumer’scar,theconsumerneedstocontestthePVinwritingbysendingalettertotheOMPtogetherwithproofthathe/shecouldn’thavebeenintheplacewheretheoffencetookplace(statementfromanemployer,bankslips,trainorplaneticketsoranyotherdocument).
Iftheregistrationplatehasbeencopied,othernoticesusuallyfollow.Theconsumershouldprepareafileofalloftheevidence(noticesreceived,lettersexchangedwiththepublicauthorities,courtdecisionsifapplicable).Theconsumershouldcontesteverynoticebycontactingthecompetentregionalpublicauthorityandreferringtothepreviousnotices.
Assoonasthesecondnoticearrives,consumersshouldthinkaboutgetting the plates changed.Thismaynotbenecessaryincountrieswheretheregistrationplatesremainonthevehicleforitsentirelifetime.
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Usually,theywillneedtofileacomplaintwiththepoliceortheprosecutor.Theymayalsoreportthemattertotheregistrationauthority.
InFrance,theconsumershouldcomplaintothepoliceandthenstartproceedingswiththeregistrationauthority(thedepartmentaladministrativeheadquarters-“Prefecture”)towhomhe/sheshouldpresentacopyoftheacknowledgementof thecomplaint fromthepolice, theregistrationcertificate,personal identificationandproofofaddress.Theconsumerwillreceiveanew“cartegrise”andregistrationnumberfreeofcharge.Iftheyhavetobesentbypost,theconsumermightberequiredtopayaboutEUR2.50.He/shewillalsohavetopayforthenewplatestobeputonthevehicle.
If the seller uses a marketplace or other intermediary website, can the consumer make a claim against the intermediary in
cases of fraud?
Manyintermediarywebsitesexist inthecarpurchasesector.Severalofthemoperate indifferentMemberStates.Theyareusedbymanyconsumerstolookforattractiveprices.
AstudyconductedbytheEuropeanCommissiononthefunctioningofthemarketforsecond-handcarsfromaconsumerperspectiveintheEuropeanUnion(83)revealedthat,“Internetcarportalswereratedhighlyforanumberofcharacteristicsandmorethan50%ofrespondentspurchasedtheircarviaaportal.Theywereratedmuchlowerforthetransparencyofinformationonthebusinessmodelofsuchportalsandthecoverageofcarsfromabroad.”
(83) http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/market_studies/second_hand_cars/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_evidence/market_studies/second_hand_cars/index_en.htm
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But what is the extent of their responsibility if something goes wrong?Usually,accordingtothetermsandconditionsofthesesites,theydonotbearanyresponsibilityfortheadvertspublishedandonlyactasintermediariestofacilitatesales.
Theyarenotresponsiblefordata,images,advertisingorinformationonthewebsiteprovidedbyadvertisersunlessanadvertisillegalorthewebsiteoperatordoesnotcomplywithnationallegislationtransposingtheE-Commerce Directive(84) (notice and take-down processes)(85) or any other national legislation thatmayapply(86).Intermediariesusuallycooperatewithjudicialauthoritiesorpoliceonrequestandifissuesofprivacyanddataprotectionhavebeensettledbyajudge.
Ascontractsaresignedbytheconsumerandtheseller,recourseisonlypossibleagainsttheseller.Tostartjudicialproceedingsagainstanintermediarywebsite,aconsumerwouldhavetobaseanyactionongenerallawandprovethatthewebsiteadministratorswereatfault,whichisusuallyimpossible.
Whenfraudissuspected,consumersshouldreportittothewebsiteadministratorwhomaybeabletopreventthesellerfrompostinganyfurtheradverts.Iftheyfailtodoso,futurevictimsmaybeabletoarguethattheyactednegligently,butsolidevidencewillbenecessary.
Oneexceptionshouldbehighlighted. IntheNetherlands,aclaimagainst intermediarywebsites ispossibleunderDutchlawastheconsumerhastherighttoexpectthatthewebsiteonlydoesbusinesswithreliabletraders.Also,thewebsiteneedstomakesurethatthecarisdelivered.Thewebsiteadministratorisresponsiblefortheadvertisementaccuratelydescribingthecar.Ifanadvertisementstatesthatasecond-handcarhasair-conditioningandaGPS,aconsumerwillexpectittohavethem.
(84) Directive2000/31/EConelectroniccommerce:http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32000L0031:EN:NOT(85) http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/e-commerce/notice-and-action/index_en.htm(86) Forexample,accordingtoItalianlaw(art.16,comma1,delDLgs.N.70/03)websitesarenotliableforinformationstoredattherequestoftherecipientofaservice,onconditionthattheydonothaveactualknowledgeofillegalactivitiesorinformation
and,asregardsclaimsfordamages,arenotawareoffactsorcircumstanceswhichwouldmakeillegalactivityorinformationapparent.Theyarealsonotliableif,afterobtainingsuchknowledge,theyremoveordisableaccesstotheinformation.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32000L0031:EN:NOT
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To whom should fraud be reported?
Inhis/herhomecountry,aconsumerwouldreportfraudtothepolicestationorpublicprosecutor’soffice.
Intheseller’scountry, iftheconsumerisnottherehe/shecanoftensendarecordeddeliverylettertothenearestpolicestationtowherethesellerislocated.However,insomecountries,theconsumerisadvisedtoonlyreportfraudtotheauthoritiesofhis/herhomecountry(87).
Several countries have specific cybercrime units within the police whom consumers can contact to report scams.
Austria
Anypolicestationorthecompetentpublicprosecutionauthority;orthecybercrimereportingofficeattheFederalCriminalPoliceOffice:
BundesministeriumfürInneres,
Bundeskriminalamt–MeldestelleCybercrime,
Josef-Holaubek-Platz1,1090Wien;
e-mail:against-cybercrime@bmi.gv.at
Belgium Thereisnospecificauthorityforsuchcomplaints.Consumerscanlodgeacomplaintwiththelocalpolicestation.
Bulgaria Theconsumershouldsendalettertothelocalpoliceorthelocalpublicprosecutor’soffice.
Croatia TheconsumershouldreportthemtotheDepartmentforHigh-techCriminalityoftheMinistryoftheInterior.
(87) Forexample,inPoland.
mailto:against-cybercrime@bmi.gv.at
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Cyprus
ConsumerscanreportonlinefraudstotheCriminalInvestigationOfficeoftheCyprusPolice(EconomicCrimeInvestigatingOffice).IftheconsumerisaresidentinCyprus,he/shecanreportthistotheabovementionedpolicedepartment,eitherbysendinganemail,reportingthisonthephoneorvisitingthenearestpolicestation.Thesameappliesforaconsumerfromanothercountry,ifthetraderislocatedinCyprus”.Forfurtherinformation:
http://www.police.gov.cy/police/police.nsf/f5d3aa79835d246ec22578b0003515a8/
5ef7a1c0a814eb74c22578a900271b1c?OpenDocument
Czech Republic Consumersshouldreporttothenearestpolicestation.
Denmark Consumersmustreportinpersonatthelocalpolicestation.
Estonia
Fraudshouldbereportedtothepolice(PoliceandBorderGuardBoard)ortothepublicprosecutor’soffice.Contactdetailsandinstructionsonhowtofileacomplaintarepublishedatthepolicehomepageandattheprosecutor’sofficehomepage.
Finland
Consumersshouldreporttothepolice.Reportscanbesubmittedatthepolicestationoronlinehttps://www.poliisi.fi/crimes/reporting_an_offence_online.ReportsinEnglishmustbemadeatthepolicestationorusingaprintableformwhichcanbefoundathttps://www.poliisi.fi/crimes/report_of_an_offence.
France
Consumerscansendarecordeddeliverylettertothenearestpolicestationtowherethetraderislocated.Onlinescamscanbereportedtothepolicecybercrimeunit.
https://www.internet-signalement.gouv.fr/PortailWeb/planets/Accueil%21input.action
GermanyConsumerscanfileacomplaintwiththelocalpoliceorpublicprosecutor’soffice.SomeGermanstatesofferthepossibilitytofileacomplaintonline(“Onlinewache”).
Greece
Consumerscanreportfraudatthelocalpolicestation,byphone(11188),fax(+302106476462)ore-mailFormoreinformationwww.hellenicpolice.gr.
ThecompetentauthorityforonlinescamsistheGreekpolicecybercrimeunitccu@cybercrimeunit.gov.gr.
http://www.police.gov.cy/police/police.nsf/f5d3aa79835d246ec22578b0003515a8/5ef7a1c0a814eb74c22578a900271b1c?OpenDocumenthttp://www.police.gov.cy/police/police.nsf/f5d3aa79835d246ec22578b0003515a8/5ef7a1c0a814eb74c22578a900271b1c?OpenDocumenthttp://www.police.gov.cy/police/police.nsf/f5d3aa79835d246ec22578b0003515a8/5ef7a1c0a814eb74c22578a900271b1c?OpenDocumenthttps://www.poliisi.fi/crimes/reporting_an_offence_onlinehttps://www.poliisi.fi/crimes/reporting_an_offence_onlinehttps://www.poliisi.fi/crimes/report_of_an_offencehttps://www.poliisi.fi/crimes/report_of_an_offencehttps://www.internet-signalement.gouv.fr/PortailWeb/planets/Accueil%21input.actionhttps://www.internet-signalement.gouv.fr/PortailWeb/planets/Accueil%21input.actionhttp://www.hellenicpolice.grhttp://www.hellenicpolice.grmailto:ccu@cybercrimeunit.gov.gr
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Hungary Consumersshouldreportanycasesoffraudtothenearestpolicestationtowherethetraderislocated.
Ireland
ConsumersareadvisedtoreportfraudtotheGardai.ConsumersresidentinIrelandcanreporttheproblemtotheGardaBureauofFraudInvestigation.Theymayalsocontacttheirlocalpolicestation,whichmayinturnreferthecomplaintonward.
Italy
Thereisnospecificentityfortheautomotivesector,butconsumerscanreportonlinescamsingeneraltothepolicestationnearesttowherethetraderislocated.Theycanalsoreportbyemail(sos@gat.gdf.it)totheanti-ITcrimegroup(“Gruppoanticriminetecnologico–GAT”),aspecialdepartmentoftheGuardiadiFinanza,thelawenforcementagencydealingwithfinancialcrime,aswellastothePostalandCommunicationsPolice(Poliziapostaleedellecomunicazioni)viatheirwebsite.
Inbothcases,consumersneedtoconfirmthereportatthelocalpolicestation.
Latvia
ConsumerscanreporttothenearestpolicestationortotheEconomicCrimesAdministrationoftheStatePolice.ResidentsinanotherEUMemberStatecancontactthemainofficeoftheStatePolice:
Ciekurkalna1stline1,k-4,Riga,LV-1026,Tel:+37167075212,Secretariat:+37167075030,e-mail:kanc@vp.gov.lv
Lithuania Consumerscanreporttothenearestpolicestationtothetrader’spremises.
Luxem-burg
Consumersshouldreporttothenearestpolicestation..Onlinereportscanbemadethrough
http://www.police.public.lu/fr/support/contact/index.php
Malta ConsumerscanreporttothePoliceCyberCrimesUnit.
Nether-lands
Onlinefraudcanbereportedtothefraudhelpdesk(byphoneorathttps://www.fraudehelpdesk.nl/).ADutchconsumercanalsoreportfraudtothelocalpolicebyvisitingthepolicestation,byphoneorbyfillinginaformhttps://www.politie.nl/aangifte-of-melding-doen.Aconsumerfromanothercountrycancontactthepolicehttps://www.politie.nl/en/contact.
mailto:kanc@vp.gov.lvhttp://www.police.public.lu/fr/support/contact/index.phphttps://www.fraudehelpdesk.nl/https://www.politie.nl/aangifte-of-melding-doenhttps://www.politie.nl/en/contacthttps://www.politie.nl/en/contact
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Norway
FraudcasescanbereportedfreeofchargetotheNorwegianConsumerCouncilformediation.Ifthepartiescannotfindasolution,thecasemaybehandledbytheConsumerDisputeCourt.
Fraudcasescanalsobereportedtothenearestpolicestationhttps://www.politi.no/kontakt_oss/kontakt_ditt_politidistrikt/.Foreigncitizensmustcomeinpersoninordertofileareport.
Poland Consumersshouldreporttothelocalpolicestationortothepublicprosecutor’soffice.
PortugalTothelocalpolicestationandtothecriminalinvestigationdepartment(PoliciaJudiciaria)bysubmittingacomplaintform,availableontheirwebsite,withanelectronicsignature,orbyphone(+351211967000).
Romania
ConsumersshouldreportonlinetothelocalofficesoftheNationalConsumerProtectionAuthority.ComplaintsmustbemadeinRomanianandanydocumentsinotherlanguagesmustbetranslatedintoRomanian.
Consumerscanalsoreportfraudtothepoliceinwritingorbyphone,usingthecontactdetailsontheirwebsite.Thepolicestationclosesttowherethetraderiscanbefoundbasedontheonlinemap.Itisadvisabletohaveanye-mailswritteninRomanianortohavesomeonewhospeaksRomaniantohelp.
Slovakia
Consumersshouldreporttothenearestpolicestationortotheprosecutor’soffice.Consumerscancontacttheembassybeforehandinordertogetaccurateinformationontheprocedureintheirnativelanguage.
SloveniaConsumerscanreportonlinefraudtothelocalpoliceinpersonbycallingtheemergencynumber113
orbywritingtogp.policija@policija.si.
Spain Consumersshouldreportfraudtothepolice(“CuerpoNacionaldePolicia”)ortotheGuardiaCivil.
SwedenConsumerscanreportfraudtothepolicebytelephone,e-mail,online(https://polisen.se/en/Languages/Victims-of-Crime/Make-a-report1/)orinpersonatapolicestation.
https://www.politi.no/kontakt_oss/kontakt_ditt_politidistrikt/https://www.politi.no/kontakt_oss/kontakt_ditt_politidistrikt/mailto:gp.policija%40policija.si?subject=https://polisen.se/en/Languages/Victims-of-Crime/Make-a-report1/
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United Kingdom
ConsumersshouldreportfraudtothelocalTradingStandardsthroughtheCitizens’AdviceConsumerHelpline: 03454 04 05 06(especiallyifthedetailsgivenbytheperpetratorarethoseofalegitimatetraderwhoisunawareofthefraud).
ItmightbeusefulforconsumerstolookforInternetforumsordiscussiongroupstoseeifthereisanopportunitytosubmitnumerouscomplaintsaboutfraudulentpracticestothesamepolicestationorpublicprosecutor’soffice.
Consumersshouldalsocheckwhether theircontractswith theirbankorcreditcard issuerprovide foranyreimbursementfollowingfraud.
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Paying for a car
Methods of payment
ECCs advise consumers to carefully check the methods of payment accepted by traders and to ensure that transactions are as secure as possible(88).
Sometradersmight askforadepositandacceptadepositincash,othersmightaskforadebitorcreditcardpaymentandothersstillmightacceptcheques(89),moneytransfersorpostalorders.Consumercreditmightalsobeusedwidely.
IntheSingleEuroPaymentsArea(SEPA)(90),consumerscanmakefastandsecuremoneytransfersviabankswithintheeuroarea(91).ForamountsofuptoEUR50000,feesarethesameasfornationalbanktransfersiftheconsumerusestheIBANandBICinternationalbankidentificationcodestoindicatetherecipient’sbankaccountandbank. However, given that these transfersarenowprocessedwithinaworkingday,once themoneyiscreditedtotheseller’saccountthepaymentisdifficulttoreverse(92).
Insomecountriesdebitcardsmaybeanoption,butastheyoftenhavelimitsontheamountthatcanbespent,consumersmustcheckwiththeirbankspriortopurchaseand,ifnecessary,increasetheamountforashortperiod.
Manyconsumersusecash.However there are limitations on cash payments within the EU and entering or leaving a country with cash may be subject to customs declarations.
TheBelgianFederalPublicServicefortheEconomyconductedaninvestigationintothesecond-handcarsectorin2014andfoundthatthelargestnumberofinfringementsconcernedillegalcashpayments(47%)followedbymileagefraudandnon-respectoflegalguaranteeobligations(both18%)(93).
(88) Seealsopage58.(89) However,thismeansisnotverywidelyusedasveryhightransactionfeesforcashingachequefromanotherEUcountrymayapply,chequesnotbeingcoveredbytheSEPARegulation(EC260/2012).(90) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32012R0260:EN:NOT(91) https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/intro/html/map.en.html(92) WhereaswithadirectSEPAdebit,theconsumercanrefusethedebitupuntil1daybeforetheduedate,contestanauthorisedpaymentwithin8weeksandaunauthoriseddebitwithin13months.(93) http://economie.fgov.be/fr/binaries/20150724_communique_de_presse_enqu%C3%AAte_voiture_occasion_tcm326-270486.pdf
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32012R0260:EN:NOThttps://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/intro/html/map.en.htmlhttp://economie.fgov.be/fr/binaries/20150724_communique_de_presse_enqu%C3%AAte_voiture_occasion_tcm326-270486.pdf
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Cash payment restrictions in Europe
T
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