The number of complaints against motor traders have increased substantially this year compared to the previous. As such, Singapore's Consumer watchdog is prompting the industry to take reactive actions.

The Consumer Association of Singapore (Case) has received 2,438 complaints against vehicle dealers in the first nine months of this year. The figure has already exceeded the total number of complaints made in the whole of last year, which made the motor industry the most complained about for the first time.

The Straits Times reported that most of these complaints were targeted at used car dealers, and the more common ones were about defective parts, late delivery, refusing to repair defect and keeping customers' deposits when loans were not approved.

In the aim to improve the situation, Case wants all members of the Singapore Vehicle Traders Association (SVTA) to provide aftersales services. The association also wants dealers to repair all damages and pay for vehicle inspections prior to selling the cars.

In reply SVTA Secretary, Raymond Tang, said that the association cannot force its 410 members to provide these services. He added that usually the buyer and seller will reach an agreement on whether the car should be sent for inspection, and that the buyer has the choice to accept or reject the sale if the defects are exposed.

Tang also said that the recent loan curbs had a deep impact on the industry. Furthermore, car traders are also affected by the 'lemon law'. He also felt that it should be left to buyers and dealers to decide who to foot the $200 odd bill for vehicle inspection.

On hindsight, the number of complaints for used car is in line with the rise in used car sales. In 2006, only around 21,000 used car were sold, while the figure climbed to 77,727 last year - the highest in the decade.