Investigating complaints about illegal conduct

Consumer Protection administers a number of laws in relation to the motor industry.

These laws include the Fair Trading Act, the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act and the Motor Vehicle Repairers Act, all of which regulate (make rules) governing the conduct of motor vehicle dealers, motor vehicle repairers and motor vehicle parts and accessory businesses.

Any breach of these laws can result in traders being prosecuted. Breaches can involve very significant penalties if a trader is convicted of an offence.

Some of the most common and serious offences are trading without a dealer's licence, false advertising and deceptive conduct.

The Motor Vehicle Industry Board licences motor vehicle dealers and their sales staff and has powers under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act and the Motor Vehicle Repairers Act 2003 to refer matters of illegal or unethical conduct by dealers and repair certificate holders to the State Administrative Tribunal. The tribunal can make disciplinary orders such as disqualifying a person from holding or obtaining a licence, suspending a licence, withdrawing a licence, imposing penalties, or attaching conditions or restrictions to a licence.

While we may investigate a breach detected during the conciliation of your complaint, generally, that second investigation will not affect the outcome of your dispute.

If you do not have a dispute with a trader but you believe they have engaged in some sort of unfair or unethical conduct, you can simply contact us by telephone on 9282 4361 and we will consider your information.