Motor vehicle dealer and other industry customers to receive full protection of law when doing REVS checks by telephone

4/11/96

From today, motor vehicle dealers and other industry customers will receive the full protection of the law when doing REVS checks by telephone, Fair Trading Minister Cheryl Edwardes has announced.

Mrs Edwardes said this improvement was just one feature of an upgraded service offered by the Register of Encumbered Vehicles, which advised industry and public customers whether finance was owing on vehicles for sale.

Until now, motor dealers and finance companies were required to pay $8 for a certificate, which would give them protection against any financial loss resulting from a vehicle being encumbered.

From today, industry customers making a REVS check would get the same protection, but for only $4.

"If they still wish to get a certificate, they can do so for $10 - the same cost at which one is provided to the public," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Either way, the information they get is guaranteed under the Chattel Securities Act."

An online service for after hours access to REVS is being trialled by 15 motor vehicle dealers and finance companies over the next three months and will then be opened up to others in these industries.

"These changes directly reflect the Government's commitment to provide small business with access to after hours services," the Minister said.

"It will also reduce costs and streamline business procedures."

In other changes to REVS, all callers will now have to provide the engine number of the vehicle, as well as the registration number and vehicle identification number (VIN).

This will increase the accuracy of all checks done in WA, and also bring the State into line with REVS services in other Australian States.

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

Mrs Edwardes said a survey in December last year by the Ministry of Fair Trading proved the risk of not getting a REVS check.

The survey found 1,768 inquiries showed up encumbered vehicles, with 33.4 per cent of motor dealers unaware money was owing on them. Of public callers, nearly half did not realise the cars were encumbered.

Since its introduction in November 1988, REVS has received well over a million inquiries from consumers, motor vehicle dealers and financiers.

To contact REVS:

Public inquiries (09) 222 0711

Dealers/other industry customers (09) 222 0789

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 421 7777