Turkey fines auto parts seller 1.08 million lira for misleading 111-lira ad

Turkey's Trade Ministry has fined an online auto parts seller 1 million 83 thousand 706 lira for misleading consumers with a deceptive advertisement. The company listed a spare part at 111 lira on an internet sales platform but asked interested buyers 5 thousand and 6 thousand lira for the same item on different dates.

The ministry's Advertising Board launched an inspection after detecting the price discrepancy between the published listing and the amount communicated to consumers. During the process, the seller failed to submit the information and documents requested by the ministry.

“The advertisements were found to be misleading and deceptive.”

As a result, the Advertising Board ruled that the advertisements were misleading and deceptive, ordering both the administrative fine and the immediate suspension of the ads. The ministry stated that inspections will continue to ensure transparent pricing and fair trade practices.

Bekir Kaplan, the ministry's Press and Public Relations Advisor, announced the decision through his social media account. He said the board examined online listings for automobile spare parts and confirmed that consumers were charged far more than the advertised price.

Kaplan emphasized that the penalty aims to protect consumers' right to accurate information and uphold honest trade principles. The ministry reiterated that monitoring of online sales platforms will persist.

The case was first reported by Son Mühür at 18:36 on November 3, 2026, and later by Mardin Life at 20:45 the same day.