Complaints About Imported Vehicles on the Rise

Of the complaints related to imported vehicles, 81.4 percent involved ‘vehicle defects,’ while 18.6 percent were contract-related. (Image: Kobiz Media)

SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — More complaints are being registered as an increasing number of South Korean drivers are opting for imported cars.

The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) said on Tuesday that a total of 1,410 complaints involving imported vehicles have been lodged over the past five years.

A total of 2,945 complaints regarding South Korean cars were registered during the same period.

Considering that 8.4 percent of all registered automobiles in South Korea are imported vehicles, a larger proportion of drivers of imported vehicles have made complaints compared to drivers of domestic cars.

Of the complaints related to imported vehicles, 81.4 percent involved ‘vehicle defects,’ while 18.6 percent were contract-related.

The KCA asked future buyers to first look into the types of maintenance services companies provide before selecting a vehicle, and to make sure that terms of promotions, the year of manufacture, and time of delivery are clearly stipulated in the contract.

The agency also asked owners to register their vehicle after conducting thorough checks on the car, to understand the terms listed in the letter of guarantee and user manual, and to make sure to receive the estimate sheets on checks and maintenance to use them in case of a dispute.

H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)