Maghaberry car dealer fined for selling clocked car

A Maghaberry car dealer was today fined £150 plus court costs at Craigavon Magistrates' Court for selling a clocked car.

In a case brought by the Trading Standards Service (TSS) of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Mr Samuel James Gourley who trades as D & S Gourley, Maghaberry Rd, Maghaberry, pleaded guilty to a charge under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968.

The car was identified after a routine enforcement exercise carried out by the TSS into the mileages of vehicles sold at local auctions. It was discovered that Mr Gourley purchased the car with over 99,000 miles on the clock from a local auction house. TSS then contacted the current owner of the car, who confirmed that he had bought the car from Mr Gourley with approximately 84,500 miles on the clock, after seeing it advertised in a local publication.

Damien Doherty of the Trading Standards Service said: “The majority of second-hand car dealers operate in an honest manner. However, there are still those who attempt to circumvent the law by selling vehicles that have had their mileage altered. As a result, consumers end up paying more than they should and could well find that the condition of the vehicle to be much worse than expected, possibly leading to further expense.

“This case should serve as a warning to any traders tempted to break the law that they could face being prosecuted and fined for their actions”.

Anyone who believes they have been sold a ‘clocked car’ should contact Consumerline on 0845 600 62 62 or online at www.consumerline.org.

Notes to Editors:

1. "Car clocking" is the term commonly used to describe the practice of turning a car's mileage reading back to display a lower mileage. A car's mileage is one of the main factors influencing a potential purchaser's decision to buy and the final price they are willing to pay. The practice of clocking is illegal, and can result in fines up to £5,000.
2. The Trading Standards Service investigate possible offences relating to clocked cars under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968. Under section 1 of the Act, it is an offence for a trader to apply a false trade description and also to supply or offer to supply, a clocked car.
3. Members of the public who are concerned about car clocking can phone Consumerline on 0845 600 6262.
4. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297 or 07866 847919. Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.