cars.

A bumper number of complaints are being made against major dealers Holmes Williams and Purvey.

The firm insisted it was improving its parts' department and customer service record last month.

But one woman said she had been unable to order a simple air filter for her Daihatsu Coure for the last ten months.

And Karen Marshall, from the Consumer Affairs' Bureau, said officials were taking an average of 15 complaints a day about stray parts.

New laws in June will mean parts have to be available in Bermuda within 15 working days.

But the current limit is six months -- and many drivers are being forced to make do with tired out old bangers, knowing proper repairs cannot be made.

Angry Anne Bell, whose Daihatsu has been running below par because of a substandard air filter, said: "I bought the car from Holmes, Williams and Purvey just two years ago.

"You would think it would be pretty simple to get an air filter. But it seems downright impossible.'' Miss Marshall added: "We are receiving numerous calls and complaints about Holmes Williams and Purvey not being able to supply parts.

"But under the current legislation, there is nothing we can do. That's why this new consumer affairs' legislation is so important.

"Imagine the situation when taxis are off the road for six months. It's ludicrous.

"There should be no reason for parts to be unavailable for so long. We have courier companies like Federal Express and ships coming in here every week.

"You would think that if you were getting low on parts, you would restock pretty quickly.

"We know that car parts change but if you are providing a service for the community, you need to be providing that service properly. I don't really buy all their excuses.'' Holmes Williams and Purvey spokesman Simon Foster, the firm's chief accountant, said the company was midway through a $1.5 million improvement programme for the parts' department.

He added: "We recognise that parts' availability is our single biggest management issue at the moment -- one which we recognise and can be sure will be resolved by the end of the year.

"In the past 18 months, we have reinvested in excess of $1 million into the company to develop infrastructure and a committed team of professionals.

"And we have committed a further $500,000 for the next six months in order to ensure that we have a world class parts' facility.

"Customer service is our highest priority at the moment and in this regard we have created a new customer solutions department whose sole function is dealing with customer queries.

"We have also sent all our staff on customer service training.'' He also said Holmes Williams and Purvey welcomed the new consumer affairs' laws, adding: "We do not see the new legislation as a threat.''