In 2015, the National Market and Competition Commission fined the majority of car distribution, sales and after-sales companies in Spain for manipulating sales prices. Affected people can claim the overpayment until 2026.
The Basque Consumer Agency Kontsumobide advises those affected by the ‘car cartel’ to turn to the Association of People Affected by this Practice, to consumer associations or to law firms to claim the amounts they have overpaid within the term they have. .
In 2015, the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) imposed fines on 21 companies that accounted for almost 91% of car distribution in Spain and included almost all general brands and some high-end brands, with 171 million companies manipulating sales prices.
In 2021, the Supreme Court confirmed fines totaling 118 million euros on most car distribution, sales and after-sales companies, but the refund of the amounts wrongly collected is not done ex officio.
Faced with this situation, Kontsumobide advises consumers not to reach an agreement with their dealer or brand of their car and have to resort to legal channels, to go to one of the existing consumer associations, to the Association of Those Affected by the Car cartel. to a law firm.
The amount of the claim depends on the make, model and other factors. For a mid-range car, the amount can be between 1,500 and 2,000 euros and for more expensive vehicles it can go up to 9,000 euros.
The correct way to proceed is to request an expert report that determines the amount you are entitled to. The deadline for filing a claim ends in 2026, as it has been extended by five years.
However, the date is not the same for all brands as it depends on when each of them was penalized. The brands whose claim period expires earlier will in any case do so on April 20, 2026.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
