The Italian competition authority has launched a consultation process concerning the contractual terms used by Gruppo Italia Vendita Auto S.p.a. in the sale of used vehicles. This initiative, identified as CV/274, aims to evaluate specific clauses in the company's general sales conditions that may be deemed unfair to consumers.

The investigation focuses on several clauses that could create an imbalance in the rights and obligations of consumers. These include provisions related to the acceptance of substitute vehicles, the handling of deposits, delivery timelines, warranty obligations, and jurisdiction for disputes.

Particularly, the authority is scrutinizing clauses that allow the seller to retain deposits under certain conditions, impose extended delivery periods, and limit consumer rights in case of delays or warranty issues. The authority believes these clauses may violate consumer protection laws, specifically articles concerning unfair terms in consumer contracts.

Stakeholders, including consumer associations and professional organizations, are invited to participate in the consultation by submitting their comments and insights on the clauses under review. The deadline for submissions is set for 30 days from the publication of the announcement.