Motor vehicle buyers are being alerted to exercise
extreme caution when purchasing vehicles from dealers who
are not authorized dealers and backup service providers.
This urgent alert comes after an unscrupulous motor vehicle
dealer selling brand-new vehicles across multiple brands and
makes, was flagged for systematically deflecting
responsibility onto frustrated buyers when their vehicles
failed on the road.
Since 2020, at least 26 consumers
have been taken for a ride by this particular dealer,
accumulating a high volume of complaints with the Council.
Investigative findings reveal a troubling, recurring
pattern: the dealer lacks both the technical expertise and
the necessary spare parts to service or repair the vehicles
they sell. Rather than taking accountability for their
inability to provide adequate after-sales support, the
dealer routinely blames buyers for the malfunctions and
leaves them stranded with non-functional vehicles and no
viable recourse.
“Consumers are paying substantial
amounts for vehicles under the reasonable expectation of
reliability and proper after-sales service,” said Consumer
Council of Fiji CEO Seema Shandil. “It is entirely
unacceptable for a dealer to offload defective inventory,
lack the basic capacity to repair what they sell, and then
blame the customer when things go wrong.”
Recent cases
brought before the Council highlight the severity of the
issue. In one instance, a consumer purchased a firm-out 2018
Twin Cabin for $66,888, only for the clutch system to fail
shortly after. An independent mechanical inspection revealed
that the clutch system had been fitted with second-hand
parts. Despite repeated notifications, the dealer offered no
redress or meaningful assistance. In another case, a
consumer sought a replacement or full refund for a brand new
2025 SUV purchased for FJD $87,800 after it suffered water
leakage, overheating, and major engine failure. While the
dealer repaired the vehicle under warranty, they maintained
that the damage stemmed from driver negligence. Following
the intervention of the Council to seek an objective
resolution addressing the buyer’s loss of confidence in the
vehicle’s safety and reliability, the dealer maintains that
the car is fully repaired and its obligations are met,
leaving the core dispute over product defect versus driver
misuse unresolved.
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To make matters worse, the Council
notes that the dealership staff are remarkably rude and
completely unequipped to de-escalate aggrieved
customers.
The Council reminds all dealers, that
consumers possess the right to redress and quality,
entitling them to reliable products and proper remedies when
a vehicle fails to meet acceptable standards. While
consumers have actively fulfilled their responsibility to
report defects promptly, the dealer has continuously failed
to honor warranty commitments or deliver acceptable
after-sales support.
To avoid falling victim to
similar practices, the Consumer Council strongly advises the
public to exercise heightened due diligence when purchasing
vehicles, particularly newly imported brands or those
without an established track record in Fiji. Additionally,
consumers can check with the Council for any past complaints
against a dealer or brand to help gauge reliability and
service expectations.
Before finalizing any vehicle
purchase, consumers must actively verify that the dealership
possesses qualified technicians specifically trained to
repair that specific make and model. Buyers are urged to ask
direct questions and demand clear assurance regarding the
local availability of genuine spare parts and backup
servicing. Furthermore, consumers should carefully inspect
all warranty terms to ensure that repair commitments and
dispute resolution procedures are clearly documented in
writing prior to making any payment.
Consumers
experiencing similar issues with motor vehicle dealers are
urged to report their complaints to the Consumer Council of
Fiji via the toll-free line 155 or by
emailing
complaints@consumersfiji.org.
