Deal struck over car clocking

A CAR dealership agreed to reimburse customers following an investigation by consumer watchdogs into second-hand “clocked” cars with false mileage.

Orange Motors, of Killalee, Limerick, has offered to take back the cars or reimburse customers part of their money. In the first agreement of its kind, the National Consumer Agency (NCA) secured an undertaking that Orange would not clock cars in future.

The NCA said Orange Motors sold four cars after the mileage readings were significant reduced — illegal under new consumer powers brought in last year. The company has compensated three customers after reaching a deal with the NCA instead of going to court.

“While the NCA has power to prosecute the company for engaging in these practices, this could take some time, and, in the meantime, other consumers could be misled,” an NCA spokeswoman said yesterday.

Yesterday NCA boss Ann Fitzgerald said car clocking cheated consumers and also put road users at risk.

“The more wear and tear, the higher the risk is of a breakdown,” she said.

She urged consumers against buying cars on impulse and check cars thoroughly before purchasing.

The agreement with Orange Motors was made under the Consumer Protection Act, which allows the public to take court action against traders for damages.

* www.consumerconnect.ie