For the third year running, complaints about second hand cars top the list of consumer complaints for 2008. According to figures released by Consumer Direct, this figure is up by 12% on the previous year, indicating that the problem would seem to be getting worse. The vast majority of the complaints relate to cars bought from independent car dealers. Also repeating a familiar pattern, we find mobile phones in second and fourth place (contracts and handsets respectively) , while women’s clothing has ‘leapt’ up to fourth place.

Many of these issues relate to quality, and the traders refusal to take responsibility. An all too frequent problem is that traders simply do not know the law regarding statutory rights. Although it should be mentioned that the consumer is not always blameless, particularly where failure to read and fully understand contracts relating to mobile phone and ISPs is concerned. So how should we deal with these situations should they happen to us – or better still, cut the risk of them happening in the first place. Well, the most useful piece of consumer legislation to know is the Sale of Goods -it covers mobile phones, second-hand cars, TVs, furniture and clothing. Sale of Goods doesn’t cover every eventuality, but does tell you what your statutory rights are and what remedies you can expect from the trader if something goes wrong. Refer to our guides on Sale of Goods and returning damaged or faulty goods for more.

For the more service-based items from this list, such as service agreements, upholstery and car repairs, your reference is the Supply of Goods and Services Act. Like Sale of Goods, this gives you your statutory rights and what you have the right to do if they are breached. Check out our Contracts for Services guide for more on this.

You should also know your cooling off rights (among other things) under the Distance Selling Regulations. Did you know that buying things on the Internet or by mail order actually gives you more rights that if you had bought it from a shop? Worth knowing. Take a look at our guide to buying online, or our section on the Distance Selling regulations for much more.

Complaints to Consumer Direct in 2008

1. Second hand cars purchased from independent dealers
2. Mobile Phones (service agreements)
3. TVs
4. Mobile Phones (hardware)
5. Car repairs and servicing from independent garages
6. Second hand cars purchased from franchise dealers
7. Upholstered furniture
8. Women’s clothing
9. Internet Service Providers
10. Leather furniture

You might also be interested in:

Mobile phones

Buying a car

Buying clothing and footwear

Returning damaged or faulty goods

Problems with builders or tradesmen

• Top Complaints 2009
• Top ten consumer complaints 2007
• Phones 4U caught mis-selling
• Consumer Rights
• Buying a Car