The deal stops them...

The deal stops them selling models less than three years old that have been imported from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). But the body representing the UK’s non-franchised dealers is unhappy about it.

“What a sad day for British motorists,” said Richard Moore, general secretary of the British Independent Motor Trade Association (BIMTA). “It is another attempt to ring-fence inflated prices by removing competition and choice. This is the first time anyone has controlled the sale of used cars.”

However, Jim Tyrell – managing director of Mitsubishi’s official UK distributor, The Colt Car Company – claimed the move would protect buyers in the UK. “Importing new and nearly new Mitsubishis from outside the EEA into Britain needs to stop,” he said.

“There are a number of issues which are damaging the Mitsubishi brand and causing customer dissatisfaction, the most significant of which is the fact that these vehicles do not have a manufacturer’s warranty. Once a non-EEA vehicle is more than three years old, there can no longer be any confusion for the customer’s warranty expectations.”

The settlement between Mitsubishi and the 11 companies will now be endorsed by the High Court, and the UK distributor will take action against any organisation found to be importing non-EEA vehicles less than three years of age into Britain. Motor­ists wishing to bring a personally imported car into the country remain unaffected.