Philip Harmer

Guest opinion: The truth about drive on damage and the Consumer Rights Act

Drive on damage has emerged to be amongst the more common defences raised by dealers.

Guest opinion: rejecting a car just got a lot easier thanks to the Consumer Rights Act

Under the new law, pre-sale misrepresentations or the things said and done before the deal’s done, including the description crystallise into contractual conditions at the point of transaction.

Guest opinion: bearing the burden of ensuring T&Cs are fit for purpose

Dealers and retailers will have to bear the cost of reviewing their T&Cs along with the training for customer facing staff and of course the financial penalty by way of fines for any transgressions.

Guest opinion: Health and safety law gets tough in 2016

If not already in place and in line with other compliance protocols a senior member of staff should be appointed as compliance officer, overseeing training and risk assessments.

Guest opinion: small claims cases and court fees set to rise under Consumer Rights Act

Contrary to the words of Del Trotter, “he who dares wins” would be “deny everything”; defendants and “have a go” claimants could end up with a pyrrhic victory.

Guest opinion: the contractual trump card of damage limitation

Amongst the contractual trump cards commonly played in customer disputes is the limitation clause.

Guest opinion: the Consumer Rights Act and selling used cars

The Consumer Rights Act is set to change the way car dealers and retailers sell used cars to the public with a super-charged version of the Sale of Goods Act.

Guest opinion: is 'betterment' a get out of jail free card?

Even if there was an available second hand market, the remedy will in all likelihood be a downward adjustment of the claim rather than extinguishing it completely.

Guest opinion: Law change sees increased pressure on car dealers to 'fix first time'

Guest opinion: test drives set to be focus of 'Dealer Elimination Agency'

Despite being billed as the biggest change to consumer law for more than a century and with the spotlight on car dealers, why is the impending Consumer Rights Act barely raising an eyebrow?

Guest opinion: ensuring car dealers are aware of the ADR Directive

The deadline for the implementation of the ADR Directive into UK law is July 9, 2015, yet few dealers, if any, have heard of it let alone implemented it.

Guest opinion: 'Boiler room' tactics could prove expensive

Working in the automotive industry has long been considered not to be for the faint-hearted.