The UK's second-hand car dealerships have been heavily criticised in a new report from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
The OFT today published its findings into the sector, following an extensive nine-month investigation. It found that, of the 3.6 million people that buy a used car every year, one in five experience a problem during the transaction. Around 650,000 complaints were made to the Consumer Direct service last year - making it the most complained-about industry in the UK.
Consumers have been more unhappy with second-hand car dealerships than any other business type for four consecutive years, according to the OFT's figures. Many of the problems reported actually stem from illegal selling practices, including dealers insisting that cars are "sold as seen" and denying consumers the right of refund.
But despite its damning report, the OFT has concluded that no new regulation is required to get the sector back on track. Instead, it wants to see existing laws more vigorously enforced. It also wants to see strict regulation of firms offering 'mileage correction' services, which are often used to 'clock' cars in order to reduce their apparent mileage.
The report has been welcomed by motoring groups.
