Three strikes and your dealer will give a new car

Car dealers in the UAE will soon have to replace vehicles that breakdown three times within the first year of purchase.
 
According to a new contract that they will issue to buyers, ratified by the Department of Consumer Protection, Ministry of Economy, the dealer will also reimburse 20 per cent of the book value of the car.
 
Dr Hachim Al Nuaimi, Director, Department of Consumer Protection was quoted in Arabic daily Al Emarat Al Youm as saying that several car companies and dealerships had agreed to the above.
 
He added the deduction of the cost of a faulty car will calculated at 5 per cent for every three months.
 
Al Nuaimi said in a press statement on Sunday that contract specified the consumer's right to replace his car immediately after the occurrence of three consecutive breakdowns.
 
He explained, “Local car dealers will be given a grace period of 15 days, the first time, to repair the fault. In such a case the customer will receive an alternative car, if the repairs are going to take long.
 
“If the break down happens three times, the car owner will have the right to replace the car with a new one.”
 
Al Nuaimi added that the department has agreed to make this condition binding on all car dealerships in the country by next September.
 
This new contract is currently in a trial phase and Al Nuaimi said that car dealerships affirmed their commitment to what will be agreed upon with the ministry, by the end of the trial period.
 
Violators will draw penalties contained in the Consumer Protection Act, and will even face closure depending on the non-compliance with the contract.
 
The car agency is also obliged to provide a complete copy of the contract in Arabic, irrespective of the nationality of the buyer.

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