asked the Minister for Local Government if, having regard to the increasing number of defective secondhand cars being sold, he will expedite the introduction of a scheme for the testing of mechanically propelled vehicles under section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 and require that no car be sold unless a certificate of fitness has been issued in respect of it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Testing of Secondhand Cars.
38.
The planning of a general scheme for periodic testing of mechanically propelled vehicles under section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, is proceeding. Consideration is, however, being given to the introduction first of a system of "spot checks" on vehicles in use on the public roads. I propose, in the new Road Traffic Bill at present being drafted, to seek powers for this purpose.
Is the Minister aware that there has developed in Dublin a racket in selling dud secondhand cars and that this has caused a number of accidents? It has also caused considerable hardship to many people caught out by these sharp practitioners. In order to avoid these dangerous vehicles going on the road, would the Minister, as a matter of urgency, introduce even a limited scheme to ensure that no secondhand vehicles will be sold unless there is a certificate of fitness available for them?
I am not aware of any newly-developing situation in regard to secondhand cars but, even if this were so, the difficulties are formidable and the matter might not be readily dealt with in a way that would meet the case.
I appreciate the difficulty the Minister would have in endeavouring to find out the gravity of this problem because of the ancient doctrine caveat emptor which prevents these things going into court and whereby people have to accept responsibility for their own mistakes in the buying of secondhand cars. However, I can assure the Minister that this is a growing traffic, an extremely dangerous one and one at which he should take another look.