Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge today said 58 warnings were issued to motor vehicle repairers for breaches of consumer protection laws after a recent compliance blitz of businesses on the Central Coast.

Ms Judge said Fair Trading inspectors visited around 100 auto repairers, car dealers, travel agents, pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers over a four-day period in late November.

“There were a disappointingly high number of warnings issued to auto repairers, particularly in Woy Woy, where 27 inspection reports were handed out,” she said.

Most of the warnings were issued for failing to display required licence information.

Kincumber also had a high number of warnings, with a total of 11 inspection reports issued.

“Getting your car fixed can be a very costly and extremely frustrating process, and consumers need to be confident the motor vehicle repairers they use are properly licensed and qualified,” Ms Judge said.

The Member for Gosford Marie Andrews said there were some positive outcomes for the community and business sector from Fair Trading’s four-day visit.

“More than 400 people turned out to seminars and workshops on a range of topics, such as residential tenancy, strata reforms, home building and incorporated associations,” she said.

“Around 150 people also made contact with Fair Trading officers at shopping centre displays.

“As well, inspectors were able to provide hundreds of guides and fact sheets to businesses and organisations in the child care, meals-on-wheels and aged care sectors to distribute to clients.

“As a result of the visit, the local community is now more aware of their rights and know where to go for consumer information and help,” Marie Andrews said.

More information on Fair Trading’s activities are at this website or call 13 32 20 or visit the local office at Level 2 Gateway Centre 237 Mann Street Gosford.

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