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The used car market had the lowest overall score among goods markets in the 8th Consumer Markets Scoreboard 2012, which was also the case in 2010 and 2011 the market is affected by information asymmetry, which explains its particularly low scores on the lowest confidence among commodity markets for three consecutive years; he also recorded the worst performance of all contracts for goods on the problems faced by consumers and comparability.
That is why the European Commission conducted a study of 6 MB on the functioning of the market for used cars from a consumer perspective in the European Union.
The study covered purchases of used cars through franchised dealers consumers, independent dealers and private sellers auctions of used cars between individuals are not included It focused on dealer practices and respect the existing regulatory framework for the sale of used cars, consumers ability to make informed choices with the information they receive before purchase and point of sale, as well as the problems faced by consumers particular attention been given to cross-border aspects of this market.
High proportion of consumers had problems and significant detriment.
41 two-fifths of all consumer respondents reported having experienced at least one problem in a year to buy their second hand car The proportion was highest for those living in the new Member States, the EU13 60 vs 37 in the old Member States, EU15, buying at auction 59 or 57 from abroad, ages 18-34 or low income 50.
Two-fifths of all the problems occurred within 1 month of car buying.
Only 27 respondents the biggest problem was no warranty.
At the expense of consumers for problems that occurred within 1 year of purchase was estimated between 1 and 9 April 1 billion; it was highest in the countries of Eastern Europe and the South.
The average respondent problem took 23 hours to complete and costs 518.
One in five who complained to the operator did not receive means to solve their problem of not having a warranty is much less likely to receive a refund or repair 3 vs 35.
Consumer satisfaction with the handling of complaints was low 6 of 10.
S unfair trade practices have been experienced by an important 25 consumer respondents; which is considerably higher in the EU13 44.
Gaps in the provision of information to consumers.
Between 21 and 27 of the survey respondents did not receive information on CO 2 emissions, consumer rights to legal warranty, maintenance, car safety safety reputation, car mileage checks to verify the accuracy of odometer history and accident counter another 12 to 19 do not know whether they had received the information.
Only 5 traders spontaneously provided information on consumer rights in a legal guarantee of mystery shopping.
A commercial guarantee was offered to respondents in 62 of all traders, but varies considerably from as high as 75 in franchise concessions as low as 42 in the auction houses; it was also much less frequent than in the EU13 41 66 EU15.
Less than a quarter of the dealers through to customers mystery that commercial warranty coverage was more of consumer rights in a legal guarantee.
Less favorable conditions in the EU13 and dependency of EU15 imports.
The EU13 consumers enjoy reduced availability of franchised dealers and the EU15 While 46 respondents EU15 bought their latest used car from franchise dealers, these purchases were significantly lower in the EU13 and 23 19 small markets Cyprus, Malta 12.
Consumers buy EU13 mileage and more plus 7 1 year, 122000 km vs. 6 1 year, in cars 80000 km EU15 opportunity, which can have a negative impact on their safety abroad has purchased cars far the highest pre-purchase 16500 km year use.
Regarding cross-border trade, there is a large flow of used cars from EU15 to EU13 and 42 of all cars imported from Germany.
After correcting the different levels of income by country, the average price of a second hand car was higher in the EU13 and the EU15.
Automotive portals on the Internet were highly appreciated for a number of features and more than 50 of respondents purchased their car through a gate, they were rated much lower for the transparency of information on the business model of these portals and coverage of cars abroad.
Membership Trader with a code of conduct quality label has had little influence on the choice of the consumer shopping for one in three people only and especially for franchised dealers.
Membership in a trade association had even less impact, especially for independent dealers This is an obstacle to the independent dealers who try to reproduce the franchised dealers of practices to increase consumer confidence.
Overall, consumer confidence was relatively low and varied across different sales channels, of 7 3 of 10 franchised dealers 6 4 for independent dealers and only 4 6 for the auction.
Only a minority of respondents felt that they had a lot of knowledge about cars 32 and information marketers have been forced to introduce 29.
Significant socio-demographic differences were observed among youth in lower knowledge, women, low-income consumers and low education.
The recommendations of the study emphasize the need for better enforcement of existing legislation by Member States to ensure that the dealers provide a transparent and truthful information to consumers and do not omit important aspects of characteristics of used cars for sale two conclusions and recommendations can be particularly helpful for Member States to support their policy initiatives, such as awareness campaigns on the guarantees, a more vigilant enforcement regarding the provision of information , measures to prevent mileage fraud the remedies proposed to improve consumer conditions are addressed to a range of stakeholders such as traders and their associations, automobile clubs, consumer organizations and consumers themselves.
Study on the used car market European Commission, study, second hand.