CAR DEALER FINED
A Tipton man who bought a car from a Manchester dealer later found
there had been three previously owners despite being told there had only been one. And he later found the tax disc was invalid because it was issued to a disabled person.
The car had been advertised on the internet and the consumer travelled to Manchester to collect the car on a low loader. The consumer complained to Sandwell Trading Standards who took out court action against the car dealer. Gary Hosler, trading as Failsworth Care Sales in Manchester, pleaded guilty at Warley Magistrates Court to an offence under the Consumer Protection Act and the Fraud Act. Hosler was given a community order of 100 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to the consumer. He was also ordered to pay £3,536 costs. On arrival the complainant was refused a test drive.
The vehicle was collected and transported home. It was when he was unloading the vehicle he noticed that the tax disc was for disabled use and therefore not valid. The complainant purchased a new tax disc and started using the car, but within the first week suffered major mechanical problems, which cost him nearly £1,800 to repair.
The complainant contacted the trader, but he refused to come to any agreement or accept any responsibility for the defects. Bob Charnley, Sandwell's Trading Standards Manager, said: "In this case the trader was given every opportunity to accept responsibility, unfortunately it was only on the day of the trial that he did that and pleaded guilty."
Sandwell Council's cabinet member for trading standards health & wellbeing Councillor Paul Moore said: "We would always encourage consumers buying goods online to take extra care. "In the case of a car, we would recommend at the very least a thorough test drive and preferably an independent inspection before purchasing. It is pleasing to see that the consumer will be receiving £2,000 compensation. "This case shows that we will not hesitate in taking action against rogue traders."
For further information please contact: Sandwell Council Communications Unit 0121 569 3031
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