Similar to the fuel efficiency rating sticker often placed on rental cars here in Australia, the Canadian region of Nova Scotia has applied an anti-lemon law to all second-hand car dealers. A 'lemon' sticker will be placed on cars that have either been in a serious accident at some point, or have a bad history of persistent mechanical problems.
Dealers who fail to display the 'lemon' sticker on defective cars are being warned they will receive a $1000 fine if found guilty of trying to push dodgy cars. Service Nova Scotia Minister, Ramona Jennex, said in a recent report:
"These new consumer protection measures will help Nova Scotians make informed decisions before they drive a car off the lot."
The new law also aims to protect buyers from getting tangled into agreements involved with cars that have a history of persistent mechanical problems. Dealers will have to research vehicles to determine if a car was ever a manufacturer buyback through a database provided by the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan.
It's not a bad idea if you think about. Just about everyone has, or knows someone who has, bought a shoddy car from a dealer before. This system would eliminate and crack down on dodgy dealers and help bring the car salesman character out of its sleazy stereotype.
Should Australia introduce a similar system?
