Disciplinary action taken against used car dealer OzCar for misleading consumers and unconscionable conduct

The investigation unveiled a pattern of dishonest conduct from 2023 to 2025 showing OzCar had repeatedly failed to meet consumer protection standards with consumers reporting issues including:

• being rushed or pressured into signing contracts, including signing contracts that they did not understand or having been misled about their purpose;
• contracts were not properly explained, including to consumers who held special vulnerabilities; and
• OzCar sold vehicles that were not an acceptable quality.

In one case, an individual purchased a vehicle from an OzCar outlet only for the car to suffer an extensive list of mechanical failures despite the business claiming it had been inspected by a mechanic and issues addressed.

The car was later inspected by NSW Fair Trading which identified significant issues, resulting in an order for OzCar to repair the vehicle and bring it up to standard.

The fine imposed on OzCar is the maximum fine available under disciplinary action provisions.

Fines were also issued to OzCar’s directors Brett Anthony Dale and William James Keepkie, while John Startari, another director of the company, was also fined.

NSW Fair Trading also applied conditions on the company's motor dealers licence, including that OzCar must:

• not allow its employees or any system to pre-complete, pre-select, or otherwise indicate acceptance of any cooling-off waiver on any contract or electronic system;
• ensure that purchasers are explained any cooling-off rights and the effect of waiving those rights;
• require the purchaser to hand write the statement: "I understand I am waiving my cooling off right" at the time of signing the waiver; for a period of twelve months, where a purchaser elects to waive their cooling off rights
• ensure that any defects affecting safety or reliability are rectified prior to sale and must maintain written inspection and repair records for each vehicle;
• ensure that purchasers are provided with a signed copy of their contract upon execution of the contract.

OzCar must also implement a compliance program including training staff on topics such as 
unconscionable conduct, acceptable sales practices and handling vulnerable customers.

NSW Fair Trading will conduct ongoing compliance visits to OzCar dealerships to ensure conditions are met.

The disciplinary action can be viewed on the Verify NSW webpage.

Anyone who has dealt with OzCar and is not satisfied with their interaction, may lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trading via the NSW Fair Trading website, at any Service NSW centre or call 13 32 20.

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said:

“Consumers have a right to clear information and safe vehicles. What we saw here was a pattern of behaviour which eroded customers’ basic consumer protections.

“Vulnerable members of our community should be supported by businesses during important life purchases, instead OzCar used this as an opportunity to pressure customers and secure sales.”

“NSW Fair Trading has taken decisive action, imposing additional conditions on OzCar’s license to support compliance as well as applying the maximum penalties available. Our investigators will continue to closely monitor OzCar to ensure it meets its obligations going forward.”

“I want to again encourage any consumers who feel they have been treated unfairly by OzCar to lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trading.”