Inquiries to Register of Encumbered Vehicles protected by Act

April 3, 1996

Telephone information to motor vehicle dealers and financiers on the Register of Encumbered Vehicles (REVS) will now be fully protected following changes to the Chattel Securities Act 1987 introduced by Fair Trading Minister Cheryl Edwardes today in State Parliament.

Previously, information given free over the telephone had no legal standing and was available only during normal office hours.  Information on a vehicle was only guaranteed if the Ministry of Fair Trading issued a certificate.

The industry will now have a choice of either obtaining a certificate or confirming the inquiry, both of which will provide full protection of the legislation.

Mrs Edwardes said that the onus was on the person who purchased the vehicle to prove that they did not have knowledge of any encumbrance.

A certificate was formal evidence of the status of the vehicle.

Mrs Edwardes said there would now be an on-line computer-based inquiry service which would allow the motor industry to obtain information out-of-hours.

This information would be guaranteed under the Act.

The free telephone inquiry service to the general public would be maintained to encourage consumers, who bought vehicles privately, to at least search the REVS system before finalising a sale and then obtain a certificate.

Since its introduction in November 1988 REVS has received more than one million inquiries from consumers, motor vehicle dealers and financiers.

Motor dealers account for more than 70 per cent of all calls.

These changes have the overall support of the motor vehicle industry.

Media contact:  Diana Russell Coote 421 7777 or 018 906 948