Two popular car showrooms in Qatar have been shut down by the government for a month for trying to sell some repaired vehicles as brand new.
Some of the cars were actually damaged in road accidents and were allegedly put on sale after extensive repairs and painting to look like they were brand new vehicles, The Peninsula reported.
The two showrooms belong to the local dealers of famous world auto brands: Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana (Nissan) and United Cars-Al Mana (Dodge).
Nissan's car showroom at Salwa Road and Dodge's showroom at Airport Road will now be shut down for a month at least. It is unsure whether the dealers have appealed to overturn the decision or reduce the sanctions.
Inspectors from the Ministry were keeping an eye on the outlets following public complaints.
“We found out that these showrooms were selling cars damaged in accidents after extensive repairs and painting,” the Ministry said in a press statement.
A surprise raid was conducted on the showrooms and it was found that they were indeed violating the consumer protection law (Article 7 of Law No 8 of 2008), the Ministry said.
Meanwhile, reports of the crackdown and closure of the two showrooms went viral on Twitter with most people lauding the move.
Serves them right! @Dodge & @Nissan dealerships closed down in #Qatar for selling repaired vehicles as new http://t.co/pVEmvxqXTO
— Shiva Singh (@shivasingh) December 14, 2014Qatar consumer affairs closed down Dodge & Nissan showrooms on Salwa road because they sold repaired cars as new http://t.co/O6BL0pbUlZ
— Hasan (@abuimad) December 13, 2014@Dodge @Nissan I am sorry to tell you that your dealers in Qatar are cheaters. They are closed by the gov for selling painted cars as news
— م.عبدالله الحرمي (@almastor_QTR) December 13, 2014check why yourdealer in Qatar was closed? @dodge pic.twitter.com/xHG5HpFL9e
— م.عبدالله الحرمي (@almastor_QTR) December 13, 2014Nissan is closed 1 month for selling repaired cars as new! #Doha #Qatar #Nissan @halalcomedy @dohanews @MEC_QATAR pic.twitter.com/7Y1NhPxoDg
— Ezz Abu-Sitta (@ezzabusitta) December 13, 2014Now, people buying brand new cars must be careful and make sure they are not being cheated as they spend tens of thousands of riyals.
The Ministry has urged people to use its free hotline (8005000) to report suspected malpractices by car dealers.
Cover Photo by @almastor_QTR
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