Car owner wins on fuel economy

The Marton man bought a 2014 Ford Kuga Titanium Ecoboost AWD from Wanganui Motors in April last year after being told its fuel economy would be 7.7 litres per 100km.

When it came to buying a car, it was the fuel economy of a new Ford Kuga that clinched the deal for Bruce Campbell.

The Marton man bought a 2014 Ford Kuga Titanium Ecoboost AWD - or Ford Kuga Titanium - from Wanganui Motors in April last year after being told its fuel economy would be 7.7 litres per 100km.

But it turned out that was never the case - so he took the matter to court.

Now, the Disputes Tribunal has ruled in his favour and Mr Campbell has been awarded $6000 compensation.

Mr Campbell said the decision to buy the car was based on an understanding its fuel economy would be 7.7 litres per 100km - as per the vehicle window card and what he was told by the dealership's sales manager.

The sales manager denied these claims.

Despite multiple visits to the dealer, the best Mr Campbell could achieve was 9.4 litres per 100km. At one point the vehicle was averaging 12.9 litres per 100km.

When he contacted Wanganui Motors, they said there was a "bedding-in" period and fuel efficiency would improve with more mileage.

Mr Campbell travelled approximately 11,000km before trading in the car.

He claimed $8250 from Wanganui Motors.

The tribunal referee ruled: "The evidence of the Ford Motor Company of NZ Ltd that the expected fuel economy of the Ford Kuga Titanium was 9.4 litres per 100km persuades me that, even taking into account the factors that could contribute to fuel economy of a vehicle, that the [dealer's] statement that the fuel economy of the Ford Kuga Titanium was 7.7 litres per 100km was incorrect and a misrepresentation, irrespective of factors that could contribute to a lower fuel economy."

The referee said he was satisfied that this was an "innocent misrepresentation" by Wanganui Motors as they relied on incorrect information given to them by Ford.

The $6000 award was based on the owner's loss of 0.75c per km over 8000km.

Kuga compo
• Bruce Campbell buys a Ford Kuga Titanium from Wanganui Motors in April 2014.
• He believes fuel economy will be 7.7 litres per 100km.
• The best he gets is 9.4 litres per 100km and at one point the vehicle is averaging 12.9 litres per 100km.
• He takes Wanganui Motors to Disputes Tribunal and is awarded $6000 compensation.