Car dealers ordered to get signed statements from customers

Automobile distributors in Qatar have to obtain a signed statement from their customers saying that they are aware of the repairs done to the vehicles they are buying, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) said.

The Ministry said the new circular sent to all car dealers in the country stemmed from its keenness to ensure that all agents and showrooms complied with Law No. (8) of 2008 on consumer protection.

Article No. (7) of the law makes it mandatory for the supplier of any commodity to give all the related information the buyer.

There will be legal consequences for not reporting to the consumer any repair, including repainting that the vehicle has undergone, the ministry said.

The customer should also sign the document indicating that he has accepted the "modifications" made to the car before he buys it.

"Compliance by the agents will help avoid complaints from consumers and consequent legal action," the MEC said .

The guidance from the MEC comes in the wake of several cases of "commercial fraud" detected by the Consumer Protection Department, Qatar News Agency said.

Such cases related to cars sold without informing buyers about major or minor repairs done or repainted to hide dents and scratches, QNA added.

Several popular car dealers in Qatar were shut down by the ministry for not complying with the consumer protection law. Nissan, Dodge (Jeep & Chrysler), Honda and Toyota (Lexus) were all found selling repaired or repainted cars without informing customers.

Photo for illustration only.