Drivers are being scared off taking their cars to independent garages by the Irish motor industry, the consumer watchdog the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) fears.
The CCPC has written to the Irish motor industry warning against possible “anti-competitive practices in the sale, maintenance and repair of motor vehicles.”
In an industry-wide letter, the CCPC has “reminded” the motor industry across the country that, under competition law, consumers must not be prevented from freely choosing who services or repairs their vehicle, or what parts they use.
Craig Whelan from the CCPC said they were monitoring the sector and warned that the watchdog would take “appropriate enforcement action” if they believe competition law has been broken.
It follows reports the CCPC says it has received from motorists who have been “prevented or discouraged from getting their vehicles serviced or repaired by independent garages.
In some cases, motorists claim to have been told that their warranty will be void if they have their vehicle serviced or repaired outside an authorised dealership network or use non-original or non-manufacturer supplied spare parts. Others claim to have been blocked from using independent garages due to restricted access to essential diagnostic data or tools which were not made available by the manufacturer or distributor. Such practices can break competition law.”
The CCPC says anti-competitive behaviour drives up prices, limit choice, and harms both consumers and independent garages.
In the eight page letter seen by NewsIreland.eu, the CCPC reads the car companies the letter of the law.
The watchdog says it can impose fines of €10 million or 10 percent of turnover if it finds evidence of malpractice.
Under European law, quoted by the CCPC, it is illegal to “oblige or induce motorists to carry out the repair and maintenance of that vehicle solely at authorised representatives of the vehicle’s manufacturer”.