asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the warranty which purchasers of new motor cars in this country are generally required to sign operates in fact to curtail the rights of the purchaser, having regard to the Sale of Goods Acts; and whether, as most people sign these warranties in the belief that they are receiving a special facility, he will arrange that it be required of those selling new cars in this country to attach to the warranty a simple statement setting out what the warranty means, somewhat on the lines of the requirement under the Hire Purchase Acts, so as to inform the purchaser of exactly what he is committing himself to if he signs the warranty.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Motor Car Warranties.
40.
I understand that, generally speaking, prospective purchasers of cars who refuse to sign the standard form of guarantee would not, ordinarily, be unable to complete the purchase. I have no reason to depart from the view which I expressed in reply to a similar question on this matter on 11th April, 1961, that, from the information available to me legislation on the subject is not called for.
Does the Minister not know that where a car is sold to a member of the public and that person has been misguided enough to sign a warranty, should that car break down due to a major fault in the car as sold to him, he then has to pay the labour costs of repairing the car? Does he not agree that this is the only group of manufacturers who have this right and that if it happens in the case of any other article which is sold, the purchaser is covered by law? Does the Minister not think that this is of major importance to thousands and thousands of people throughout the country and will he not take some steps to protect the public against being fleeced in the manner in which they are being fleeced by car manufacturers and dealers?
The most practical step I could take in that connection would be to require that the obligation on the purchaser to pay for transport of parts and extraction of parts would be set out in the agreement but that is, in fact, the case. That is clearly set out in the agreement the person signs.
Does the Minister mean to tell me that many of the public realise what they are signing? I must be very stupid, so. There must be a lot of stupid people in the country.