Business information

Car dealers punished after Trading Standards prosecution

Hertfordshire Trading Standards has successfully prosecuted second-hand car salesmen who flogged 'bargain basement' vehicles which were unfit to drive.

Sole trader Keith Flint, of Radlett Road, Frogmore, St Albans, and Stuart Kilbride, a director of Calibre Cars Ltd of Broad Colney Works, London Colney, both pleaded guilty at magistrates' court on Wednesday 12 September to offences under Section 75 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Kilbride sold an N-registration Fiat Punto SX for £795 to undercover Trading Standards officers as part of a sting operation earlier this year. The vehicle was in poor general mechanical condition and displayed evidence that it had not undergone even basic checks for general roadworthiness for a considerable time.

The company was fined £1250 and ordered to pay £265 towards prosecution costs at Luton Magistrates' Court. Kilbride was fined £250 and ordered to pay £264 towards the costs for Trading Standards.

Keith Flint sold an L-registration Ford Escort 1.4 for £340 from his site on the Park Industrial Estate, Radlett Road. Its braking system was faulty and even light applications of the brakes caused the vehicle to pull to the left. He was given a 12 month conditional discharge by magistrates in St Albans and ordered to pay £705 towards prosecution costs.

Of the ten cars which were bought in the test purchasing exercise by Trading Standards for between £340 and £1,100 in February from well-established car traders in Hertfordshire, half were deemed unroadworthy following tests by a vehicle examiner provided by Hertfordshire Constabulary's collision investigation unit. That constitutes an offence under the Road Traffic Act.

Keith Emsall, Executive Member for Community Safety and Culture, said: "This is an excellent example of successful partnership working and we are pleased that the courts took this seriously following our investigation. It is unacceptable that these traders were offloading potentially dangerous vehicles to unsuspecting members of the public. A second hand car may be cheap, but that is no excuse for it not being safe.

"Anyone looking to buy a used car , particularly at the cheaper end of the market ,is advised to check the vehicle and any paperwork thoroughly before purchase."

Sgt Dick Light, manager of the Hertfordshire police collision investigation unit, said: "We have worked for many years with Trading Standards to make the roads safer by removing unroadworthy vehicles and we are always pleased with results like this. Defective vehicles play a large part in serious and fatal accidents on Hertfordshire's roads."

Herts Trading Standards are reminding those who are thinking of buying a cheap car to do their homework thoroughly before buying. The AA and RAC offer a vehicle inspection service: the fees vary according to the type of vehicle involved.

For those who cannot afford to pay an inspector before buying, another option is to enlist the help of a mechanically-minded friend or relative who should at least be able to spot the most serious defects.

For more information or advice contact the Consumer Direct helpline on 08454 040506 between 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday (excluding bank and public holidays) or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk. Calls are charged at no more than four pence per minute from a BT landline. Call charges from other landline providers or mobile phones may vary.

For information about vehicle checks contact:
AA Car Data Check - 0800 234 999 www.aacardatacheck.com
HPI Check - 01722 422422 www.hpicheck.com
RAC Vehicle Checks - 0800 975 5867 www.rac.co.uk/web/vehiclechecks
Businesses unsure of their obligations should telephone the Trading Standards Business and Commercial line for advice on compliance with the law on 01727 813849 (9am to 5pm).