“When it comes to buying a new car, most people would expect to be able to drive a $120,000 Range Rover out of the showroom and not be hassled with the problems often associated with a second-hand car,” Mr Jones said.

“Right? Wrong! Problems with the vehicle began almost immediately, with the vehicle experiencing a range of minor problems from the bonnet hitting the bulbar, to the steering column screeching, to a drop in electrical power during night-time driving when the air-conditioning was turned on.”

However, it was when the car experienced total engine failure and all the lights went out at about 85kph while driving at night on an unfamiliar winding road near Maleny on the Sunshine Coast’s Hinterland, that the extent of the vehicle’s problems became evident. Following the sudden engine failure, the car was sent to Purnell Motors where it was allegedly repaired. It was returned 3 weeks later but failed again on a high-level bridge, at speed, at night, in rain that same day.

Mr Jones lives in Dorrigo, an hour west of Coffs Harbour on the NSW Mid North Coast, where he works as a business consultant in executive training and business management, specialising in effective risk management. He has owned Range Rovers since 1977 and in 2004 he purchased a new $120,000 Range Rover (TD6) from Purnell Motors, Arncliffe (recently relocated to Hurstville). Since that time, the luxury car that was supposed to provide him with hours of pleasure has brought him nothing but pain.

“This new Range Rover Diesel, which won “Car of the Year” on its release, has had two total failures at speed in 2004 and failed again in April 2008. Last year, while the vehicle was still within the five year warranty period, Land Rover ordered its dealers not to do any more warranty work on the troublesome vehicle,” Mr Jones said.

“The lack of Lemon Laws in Australia has caused hundreds of consumers to put up with ‘lemon’ cars. The motor vehicle lobby has effectively nullified consumer opportunity to seek redress except through common law and this needs to change.

“The CTTT (Consumer Trading and Tenancy Tribunal) is grossly inadequate in its capacity to deal with the legal and corporate might of giant corporations, especially once it allows those companies legal representation. Corporations have bottomless pockets and access to more resources than most consumers.

“Over the years dozens of cases have come to the attention of media programs, almost all of the very unhappy consumers have had to give up their battle against the big car dealers and still the government has done nothing. I have persisted for five years to see justice done.”

In the USA, Lemon Laws are in place in each State that deal quickly and effectively with multiple failures or constant problems with a motor vehicle. Dealers are required to replace or refund the purchase price avoiding costly legal action for all parties. While the Lemon Laws vary from state to state, moves are currently underway to strengthen the USA Lemon Laws, with New Jersey earlier this month extending the period of time post-sale under which a car can be deemed a ‘lemon’.

It is estimated that each year, Australians buy up to 15,000 new-car ‘lemons’ – cars that dealers repeatedly fail to properly repair and manufacturers refuse to replace. While this may be only a small proportion of the approximately 1 million vehicles sold each year, the impact is heavy on those involved.

“It is extremely unsatisfactory that a consumer must go to the trouble and expense of court action in order to resolve these issues,” Mr Jones said. “The CTTT proved unable to deal with the matter and it was transferred to the District Court in 2007. With legal costs to date running into the tens of thousands, the State Government must act immediately to introduce Lemon Laws similar to those in the United States.”

MEDIA:

For further information contact: Richard Jones
[email protected]
Phone: Mobile 0427 400 822; Pager 02 9430 6412.

NOTE: Mr Jones is currently travelling to Sydney in preparation for the trial. Media inquires can also be directed to Lee McDougall on 02 6772 2301; 0448 966 086.

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Press Release published by Get the Word Out.