-to address sale of defective vehicles

GUYANA’S Consumer and Competition Affairs Commission (CCAC) will soon establish a consumer’s guide for purchasing motor vehicles and is currently working on a certification programme to avoid the sale of defective vehicles.

This is according to CCAC Director, Anil Sukhdeo, who, on Wednesday, disclosed that Guyana has seen an increase in complaints from consumers about defective vehicles.

As such the body will be exploring the implementation of a certification programme.

“We are working on an importation certificate so at the port of exit there will be a certification programme to say that this vehicle is indeed fit and in good condition to be used,” Sukhdeo.

He further explained that “when it’s imported to Guyana, there will be that stamp, that certification documentation to know that again, this is in a good condition, this can be purchased and be used so that we can address that.”

Already for 2023, the CCAC has received 27 complaints related to the purchase of vehicles amounting to the value of $ 61,534,709. This reflects a 108 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period last year.

“We will try to go off stream and address it at that level. So that programme… it has not come to fruition because we are still interacting with the accreditation body. We try to empower consumers, before you have an issue, you know how to carry about yourself before you do your business,” Sukhdeo said.

Further the body will also be developing a consumer’s guide to assist consumers when purchasing a motor vehicle.

“We are working on documentation, steps needed when you’re purchasing vehicles. If you have that knowledge, you can prevent yourself from getting in a situation where it affects your health, it affects your finances and we don’t want to put you there. We want you to protect yourself.”
Meanwhile the body has since advised consumers who are experiencing issues with vehicles that are still under warranty, to file a complaint with the commission via its website.

Consumers are also advised to have the vehicles they intend to purchase thoroughly checked by a mechanic of their choice before signing off on the final agreement of purchase.