USED NEW CARS

Evening Star, Issue 25893, 10 September 1946, Page 10

USED NEW CARS

CHECKMATE TO RACKET IN BRITAIN A striking illustration of the racket that was being exploited in the sale of slightly used new cars in Great Britain, and which has now been checkmated by British motor traders requiring buyers of new cars to sign an undertaking not to resell for a period of six months, is provided by an advertisement that appeared on the front page of the London ‘ Times ’ a few weeks before the motor industry took steps to prevent the resale of new cars, at a substantial profit, to buyers who, unable to obtain an official permit, were prepared to purchase a slightly-used 1946 car at an exorbitant figure regardless of its original sales cost. The advertisement offered for sale a new 1946 “ M.G.” carefully run in ” —the list price of which had been £'479 18s 4d, for the sum of £995. The enterprising individual was out to clean up the tidy sum of £515 Is Bd, less the advertising expenses. Doubtless some plutocrat with more money than sense bought the “ M.G.” The step taken by the motor car industry in Great Britain should go far towards stopping the ramp, which was becoming widespread in that country.