Simon Corbell has taken the unusual step of singling out Autoco Tuggeranong for Fair Trading breaches:
The Commissioner for Fair Trading has accepted a court enforceable undertaking from Autoco Tuggeranong Pty Ltd, trading as Bridgestone Select Belconnen, for failing to conduct brake tests on a number of vehicles during vehicle inspections for registration purposes, Attorney General, Simon Corbell, announced today.
On 1 November 2012, Office of Regulatory Services (ORS) audit officers conducted a site visit to Bridgestone Select Belconnen, where it was discovered that an authorised examiner failed to carry out mechanical brake tests on 90 vehicles.
Upon being advised of the concerns of the ORS, Bridgestone Select Belconnen cooperated and initiated an immediate internal investigation, and resolved to implement an internal audit procedure to ensure brake tests are carried out appropriately.
“Bridgestone Select Belconnen acknowledges that the conduct of their examiner likely contravened the Australian Consumer Law, by representing to consumers that their brakes had been tested and complied with applicable vehicle standards, when no test was undertaken,” said Mr Corbell.
“When a consumer takes their car to an approved inspection station for an inspection, they should have the confidence that the vehicle will be thoroughly inspected, and in accordance with required vehicle inspection standards.”
Bridgestone Select Belconnen has offered the Commissioner for Fair Trading an enforceable undertaking under the Australian Consumer Law. Bridgestone Select Belconnen will make a contribution of $20,000 to the Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter fund, write to all consumers whose vehicles were inspected by the business in the relevant time period advising that a brake inspection may not have been carried out, and offer to repeat the inspection free of charge.