A striking amount of deception in prices of electric cars in the Netherlands

The Consumers’ Association warns for misleading the prices of used electric cars. A sample of the union shows that several car companies make their used electric cars look cheaper than they are by advertising prices excluding VAT.

This deception is prohibited. The Consumers’ Association has informed the supervisory authority of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM).

Autoscout24 and Marktplaats often wrong

On the Autoscout24 site, a BOVAG company offers a Hyundai Kona for 26,945 euros. In reality, the car costs more than 32,600 euros, including 21 percent VAT, according to the Consumers’ Association. On Marktplaats, a BOVAG member advertises a Peugeot e-208 for 27,900 euros. The actual price is 33,759 euros. And on the ANWB site there is a Tesla Model 3 that costs more than 9,000 euros more than the advertised 42,950 euros, the association says.

“These advertisements are aimed at private buyers and then it is legally required to state the prices including VAT. The only reason for the car companies to advertise without VAT is that the advertisement comes up favorably in the search results,” says Sandra Molenaar, director of the Consumers’ Association.

Most misleading advertisements were on Autoscout24 and Marktplaats. It went well most often on viaBovag.

The union investigated online advertisements for three brands of used electric cars: the Hyundai Kona, Tesla Model 3 and Peugeot e-208. For this purpose, a maximum of the top ten advertisements were viewed on the websites Autoscout24, Autotrack, Marktplaats, ViaBovag and ANWB. Most misleading advertisements were on Autoscout24 and Marktplaats. ViaBovag most often went well, but that does not mean that all BOVAG members adhere to the rules. On other sites they advertised with ex-VAT prices.

Trick with subsidy electric cars

The researchers also saw another trick to make cars look cheaper. In doing so, the dealer already settles the possible government subsidy for electric cars (2000 euros) in the advertising price. However, the owner has to apply for this subsidy himself after he has bought the car.

Electric car subsidy: 8 things you need to know