Discussion Paper: Review of the Consumer Information Standards (Used Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2003

May 2006

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Foreword

Motor vehicles are technically complex, and their purchase can be one of the largest financial commitments a consumer makes. It is crucial that consumers receive useful and accurate information to allow them to make good buying decisions.

While the Supplier Information Notice (SIN) is designed to provide such information, the recent Review of the Motor Vehicle Sales Act 2003 identified that SIN could be improved.

The SIN covers many issues including the car's "birthday", import history, its mileage travelled, its accident record, what fuel it uses, warrant of fitness and licensing details and consumers' rights of redress.

This Review is about determining if that information is meeting the needs of the consumer. It identifies and discusses potential concerns in detail and signals areas where the current information required as part of the SIN could be amended and improved.

For the motor vehicle industry and consumers alike, the SIN is no small issue. Both groups will be affected by any changes to the SIN, the requirements for which are set out in the Consumer Information Standards (Used Motor Vehicles) Regulations.

This paper has been produced to encourage you to consider what information must be on the SIN and also what information should be allowed to be on the SIN.

I invite and indeed welcome comments on this paper. Your views are important to me in determining how consumers can best be assisted when buying motor vehicles.

Hon Judith Tizard
Minister of Consumer Affairs

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