The European Consumer Centres Network (ECC-Net) has published a report on cross-border car purchases as well as country specific fact sheets to help EU consumers with their motor purchases abroad.
In 2014, of the 37,609 complaints received by ECC-Net, only 2.1 per cent concerned purchase of new or second-hand vehicles (cars or motorcycles). However, this topic has been identified as a major concern among consumers largely due to the fact that car purchases are expensive and when something goes wrong it can cause a lot of problems for consumers.
According to its 2014 annual report, ECC Ireland received more than 100 complaints that related to car purchases/car parts. Out of the 1,040 cases that required further assistance by ECC-Net, and in which ECC Ireland was actively involved, 19 related to car purchase/car parts.
Attached is a press release with further information, including Irish consumer case studies used in the report and recommendations. You will also find attached the full report and fact sheets for Ireland and the UK – in general Irish consumers travel to the UK to purchase vehicles. However, there is also a link provided that will lead you to fact sheets for other EU member states. Information is also on our website at http://www.eccireland.ie/ecc-net-issues-cross-border-car-purchase-report-and-country-fact-sheets/.
ECC Ireland is part of ECC-Net, which covers 30 countries (all EU countries plus Norway and Iceland), and offers a free and confidential information and advice service to the public on their rights as consumers, assisting consumers with cross-border disputes. ECC Ireland is co-financed by the European Commission and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
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