A DRIVER is set to receive thousands in compensation after being sold an “unroadworthy” hatchback by a crooked dealer who hid the car’s dangerous faults.
The unfortunate motorist could have suffered “catastrophic” consequences if they hadn’t discovered the problem.
An investigation by the local council’s trading standard team found that Junaid Ahmed Majeed concealed “structural defects” on a second-hand Toyota Aygo sold in Leeds.
The buyer claimed that they had approached Mr Majeed to demand a refund but had been refused, prompting them to report the sale to the council.
An examination of the car found a selection of dangerous faults, including “totally inappropriate repairs”.
Some of the defects had simply been covered up with filler rather than properly fixed.
In another terrifying development, it transpired that a structural issue with the car’s bodywork had been hidden with underbody sealant.
It makes no difference whether a vehicle has been seen on a forecourt or online, it must be roadworthy and it must match its description.
Greg White
According to an engineer’s report, the severity of the damage suggested that the motor had previously been involved in a nasty crash.
The mechanic who examined the car concluded: “I consider that the vehicle was in an unroadworthy condition, in that its use on a road would involve a danger of injury to any person within or other road users and pedestrians, due to the potential catastrophic failure of structural components.”
York Magistrates’ Court heard that Mr Majeed had failed to inform the buyer that they could cancel their contract with his firm, Dealonwheelz Ltd, and had advertised the car as “sold as seen” to avoid paying out refunds.
In a hearing on August 16, he admitted five violations of consumer protection legislation, including misleading another customer about the MOT, service history and warranty of a Vauxhall Corsa.
The panel of magistrates ordered him to pay £500 in fines and a total of £2,500 compensation.
His business was handed a further £500 fine and ordered to pay £200 of prosecution costs.
The firm has since closed down its website and Instagram page.
Greg White, executive member for trading standards at North Yorkshire Council, said: “People quite rightly expect cars on sale to be safe and as advertised in terms of service history, MOT status and after-sales warranty.
“It makes no difference whether a vehicle has been seen on a forecourt or online, it must be roadworthy and it must match its description.
“It was particularly disappointing in this case to see that the dealer had not responded appropriately to the customers’ requests for a refund.
“We will not tolerate attempts by traders to restrict the statutory rights of consumers by refusing refunds, using statements such as ‘sold as seen’ or failing to provide details of the right to cancel certain contracts.”
It comes after a pensioner revealed how he took a ‘bully’ car park firm to court over a 10p parking row.
If you believe you have been mis-sold a car the first port of call should be a direct complaint to the seller.
Reasons can include dishonesty about the car’s history, damage you weren’t informed of at the time of sale or outstanding finance on the vehicle.
If a fault is found within the first 30 days of the sale, you can claim your money back.
If the seller is not contactable or rejects your complaint and you still feel you have a case, you can take the matter to the Motor Ombudsman.
The watchdog requires sellers to prove a fault was not present at the time of sale if it was detected within six months.
You have to contact them within a year of the final response to your direct complaint.
The organisation will then let you know whether your case has been accepted within five working days.
A decision will then be issued up to 90 calendar days later.
