Car dealership Auto City Motors fined £20k for selling iffy cars
Greenwich Council have successfully prosecuted a car dealership selling dodgy motors – and confronting those who returned for refunds.
According to Greenwich Council:
“A second-hand car dealer, Auto City Motors Ltd, has been ordered to pay compensation to their customers who they illegally swindled. They are required to pay costs of £20,213.
The business and its directors, Ms Aiste Cepulyte and Mr Liuatauras Miksys, were buying poor quality cars at auctions and selling them onto unsuspecting consumers. Clients of the car dealership inevitably found faults in their cars, which meant they could no longer use them.
After the Council’s Trading Standards team received numerous complaints, it was revealed to them that customers were faced with confrontation when they tried to return the faulty cars for a repair or a refund – which they are legally entitled to.
We were able to act under the Enterprise Act, which allows the court to issue enforcement orders. The court determined that if the car dealership continues to deceive their customers by either selling inadequate cars or refusing a consumer’s right to return, there will be criminal charges. Additionally, the court has also instructed that the dealership pay compensation to their defrauded customers.
Cllr Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Community Safety, said: “I am very proud of our Trading Standards team for acting so efficiently, and to our residents who raised their concerns with us. Criminals need to be stopped, and people should come forward, so we can act fast in bringing them to justice. If any of our residents have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.”
Really, those punters bought a car from people who operate out of a shed and are then surprised that it turns out to be faulty. Good luck to those hoping to get their money back.