Hi,
I recently had an unpleasant experience with a Used Car Dealer; when I researched the VIN number of the car on the manufacturer's database I discovered it had been built a year before what was displayed on the CIN (and what was advertised).
I told the dealer that we weren't interested in that particular vehicle any more because we were looking for a later model vehicle, and requested our deposit be returned. The dealer threatened me and my family with physical violence (amongst other threats) and refused to return the deposit. He also claimed that he didn't have to display the year of manufacture on the CIN, nor in any advertisement.
I researched the Year of Manufacture requirement on a CIN online and found some conflicting information:
Consumer says: "The year in which the vehicle was manufactured or the manufacturer’s designated “model year” or the year of first registration (for motor vehicles registered before 1 January 2007). For vehicles registered after 1 January 2007: the year of first registration anywhere in the world." https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/car-buyers-rights
The Government says two things are required:
1. the vehicle year
2. the year of first registration. This is the year that the vehicle was first registered for use.
http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/for-consumers/motor-vehicles/before-you-buy-a-motor-vehicle/consumer-information-notice-cin
This information is contradictory.
Was I right asking for my deposit back? I was certainly taken aback to discover that the vehicle was a year older than advertised.