Warwickshire Trading Standards Bulletin – 27 June 2016 Warwick Car Dealer Prosecuted for Selling Unsafe Car He Advertised As ‘Fabulous’ June 24, 2016 ‘A fabulous low insurance motor car that is ready to drive away today’ is how car dealer Rajinder Singh Hayer (trading as Readycar, 23-25 Millers Road Warwick) described a vehicle that was later found to be unroadworthy and potentially dangerous.

Following a successful prosecution by Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service, Mr Hayer pleaded guilty to five offences and was fined £2000.

In November 2015, Trading Standards Officers carried out an undercover investigation in to the sale of unroadworthy vehicles across Warwickshire. Acting on intelligence, Officers purchased a Hyundai Getz from Readycar. The car had been advertised on the Internet. An expert vehicle examiner who concluded that the car was unroadworthy and potentially dangerous then checked the vehicle.

The car had 14 separate faults including seized brakes, leaking exhaust, suspension and steering problems and the bonnet safety catch was stuck in the open position. Warwickshire County Councillor John Horner, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety said: “Unscrupulous car dealers who sell unroadworthy and dangerous cars to Warwickshire consumers are putting at risk the lives of all road users.”

Warwickshire County Councillor Philip Johnson, Chair of the Council’s Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee added: “Warwickshire Trading Standards will continue to take action to prevent the sale of potentially dangerous and unroadworthy vehicles, helping to ensure consumers aren’t deceived into buying cars that could be worthless and potentially lethal to drive.”

At Nuneaton Justice Centre on Tuesday 21st June 2016, Rajinder Singh Hayer (aged 49 of Coventry Road, Warwick), trading as Readycar (Millers Road, Warwick) pleaded guilty to five offences under the Road Traffic Act 1991, The General Product Safety Regulations 2005, the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Companies Act 2006. He was fined £2000, ordered to pay £499.19 costs and a £120 victim surcharge.

In mitigation Mr Hayer said that he had been trading for 15 years and had never been in trouble with Trading Standards before. Further, he promised to improve his paperwork and change his procedures, in consultation with Trading Standards.

Stratford upon Avon car dealer prosecuted for selling unsafe car he advertised as: ‘In good condition inside and out’ June 24, 2016 ‘In good condition inside and out, drives well’ was how car dealer, Charles Bowen, trading as Stratford Car Sales (Cophams Hill Farm, Bishopton, Stratford upon Avon) described a vehicle that was later found to be unsafe and unroadworthy.

Following a successful prosecution by Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service, Mr Bowen pleaded guilty to six offences and was fined £1000.

In November 2015, Trading Standards Officers carried out an undercover investigation in to the sale of unroadworthy vehicles across Warwickshire. Acting on intelligence, Officers purchased a Vauxhall Corsa, which had been advertised on the Internet. An expert vehicle examiner who concluded that the car was unroadworthy and potentially dangerous checked the vehicle. The car had a number of faults including seized brakes, handbrake cables that were beginning to fray, failed suspension, a seat belt that did not work, potentially dangerous fuel tank faults and a leaking exhaust. The vehicle was also described as having a full service history whereas it had not been serviced in the last 3 years/23,000 miles.

Warwickshire County Councillor John Horner, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety said: “Unscrupulous car dealers who sell unroadworthy and dangerous cars to Warwickshire consumers are putting at risk the lives of all road users.” Warwickshire County Councillor Philip Johnson, Chair of the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee added: “Warwickshire Trading Standards will continue to take action to prevent the sale of potentially dangerous and unroadworthy vehicles, helping to ensure consumers aren’t deceived into buying cars that could be worthless and potentially lethal to drive.”

At Nuneaton Justice Centre, on Tuesday 21st June 2016, Mr Charles Bowen (aged 31 of Cophams Hill Farm, Stratford upon Avon), trading as Stratford Car Sales pleaded guilty to one offence under the Road Traffic Act 1991, one offence under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, three offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and one offence under the Companies Act 2006. He was fined £1000, ordered to pay £686.26 costs and a £100 victim surcharge.

In mitigation, it was stated that Mr Bowen had only been trading for three years and the sale of the vehicle was an error. Mr Bowen promised not to repeat this error and apologised to the court.

Trading Standards advice for Buying a Used Car 1. It is wise to have a history check done on the car. There are organisations which hold data on cars and can tell you, for a fee, whether the car has outstanding finance on it, whether it is an insurance write off or stolen.

2. A Government website provides free information about vehicles: https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/mot- insurance – check a vehicle’s MOT status and history, recorded mileage, tax/SORN status, year of manufacture, date first registered, engine size and colour etc.

3. Check the general condition of the bodywork and look for signs of rust and welding. The condition should reflect the age of the car and the asking price.

4. Make sure that all the tyres, including the spare, have the correct pressure and tread.

5. Go for a thorough test drive.

6. It is strongly recommended that you have the car checked out by a qualified auto engineer (either an independent engineer or through a motoring organisation) if you don’t have the expertise to check the car’s condition yourself. Alternatively, enlist the help of a mechanically-minded friend or relative who should at least be able to spot the most serious defects.

7. Check all the relevant paperwork to satisfy yourself that everything is in order.

8. Purchasers of older vehicles should ensure that the vehicle is sold with a 12 Months MOT Test Certificate.

9. Read the contract carefully before you sign.

10. Read the finance agreement (if any) carefully and make sure the figures add up. Look around for credit. You do not have to use the credit on offer from the dealer.

Consumers wishing to make a complaint about a car they have purchased should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506 or visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/consumer Businesses unsure of their obligations should telephone the Trading Standards Service on 01926 414040 for information and advice.