A WORCESTER car dealer has been ordered to pay more than £3,500 after he sold the same clocked car twice.
Justin Cull, who traded as JC Car Sales of Bromyard Road, pleaded guilty to offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Fraud Act 2006 when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (November 3).
An investigation by officers from Worcestershire Trading Standards Service revealed the business had, in March 2015, advertised and sold a 2008 Honda Civic to a consumer, which had an incorrect mileage, otherwise known as ‘clocked’.
The mileage on the car read 65,000 miles but should have been greatly in excess of 88,000 miles which had been recorded in 2011.
The consumer returned the vehicle to the business as soon as he discovered the incorrect mileage but in August 2015, Cull knowingly re-advertised and sold the same car to another consumer, again with an incorrect mileage.
In mitigation, the defence highlighted Cull’s co-operation and early guilty plea, but conceded he had failed to take appropriate steps when the car was returned by the first purchaser.
Due to personal problems at the time Cull had failed to address his mind correctly to this business transaction, according to the defence.
Cull was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £3,514.
Coun Lucy Hodgson, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member for localism and communities, said: “The work of our trading standards officers is vital in ensuring that consumers in Worcestershire are protected from this type of fraudulent business activity.
“We have a dedicated team of officers who actively investigate criminal complaints of this type, and carry out routine inspections both online and in person at local car dealers.
“We are satisfied with the outcome and the way the magistrates dealt with this case shows how seriously such matters are viewed.”
