So you can claim part of the money paid for your car if you bought it between 2006 and 2013

The automobile sector in Spain has collided with an already official scheme of selling cars at a higher price than that set by the market. The case known as the ‘dealer cartel’ and for which around ten million users can claim from 2,000 to 9,000 euros as paid between 2006 and 2013.

For seven years, up to 130 dealers in Spain, 21 manufacturers and 2 consultancies in popular brands (around 91% of the firms purchased) agreed to increase prices with the clear prejudice against consumers. Done (CNMC), between 2015 and 2016, but which has now had two favorable rulings forcing an Audi and Volkswagen dealer to pay compensation of 2,000 euros to a driver who purchased a vehicle in 2010.

This has set a precedent and has opened the way for some 10 million customers who were subjected to “anti-competitive practices”. Policy that violates the principles of the Law for the Defense of Competition and that can end in the return of up to 9,000 euros in some cases of more expensive cars (between 10 and 15% of what was paid).

For this reason, the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) encourages all users who purchased a car between 2006 and 2013 to “compensate for the damage caused” during this period of time. Just for the mere fact of believing to be one of those affected, the institution will claim on behalf of the interested party after providing the more information, the better (invoice or proof of rental or leasing payment, vehicle technical sheet and contracts signed for the purchase- sale).

What must be done to denounce the ‘dealership cartel’?

Through the OCU questionnaire, open to all registered users, the institution will check if the car in question is one of those affected () and will inform, if so, of the next steps to be taken. For this, it is already working to obtain advantageous economic conditions that include a lawyer, a solicitor and an expert.

What brands are affected?

In the majority of popular firms, those acquired by more than 90% of Spanish drivers, cases have been detected that affect these companies:

-Alfa Romeo.

– Audi.

-BMW.

– Chevy.

-Chrysler.

– Citroen.

-Dodge.

-Fiat.

– Ford.

– Honda.

-Hyundai.

– Jeep.

– Kia.

– Lance.

-Land Rover.

-Lexus.

– Mercedes Benz.

-Mitsubishi.

-Nissan.

– Opel.

-Peugeot.

-Porsche.

– Renault.

– Seat.

– Toyota.

– Volkswagen.

– Volvo.

In addition, from Motorpasion they have prepared a complete list of all the dealers involved in the plot that. The reporting period is close to a year from now, with a great possibility of obtaining compensation in view of the court ruling in favor of consumers.