Queensland Office of Fair Trading (OFT) data reveals 80 motor vehicle sale complaints were made in Cairns last year.
RACQ’s technical and safety policy head Steve Spalding says he is not surprised car sales drew so many complaints.
“Motor vehicles are a very emotive purchase at the best of times,” he told the Cairns Post.
“Sometimes it is the action of the seller, who is clearly not doing the right thing. But in most cases, reputable dealers are doing the right thing.”
Household goods followed car sales at 66 complaints, followed by motor vehicle services, such as repairs, wreckers or accessories at 46 and personal services 37.
“Sometimes they can be looking at a vehicle and not realising there are problems in the mechanical parts,” Spalding says.
“I know from many years in vehicle inspection that is often the case. It is only when you have a very close look at a vehicle that you uncover most of those things.”
State-wide the OFT secured more than $5.7 million from 14,921 complaints for consumers who found themselves out of pocket in 2016.
OFT executive director Brian Bauer says consumers should approach a trader first if they have a complaint about goods or services.
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