The case was brought by the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. One charge was brought under the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968 and a separate charge under the Fair Trading Act, 1973.
The case was taken after a customer purchased a car from Mr Sloan, which was previously registered in England with a mileage of approximately 99,000 miles. In fact the car had travelled in excess of 135,000 miles.
Mr Sloan had given the consumer a receipt marked ‘Sold as Seen’, which purported to take away the consumer’s Sale of Goods rights.
Mr Sloan, who had previously been fined for the same offence in August 2005, was also ordered to pay £240 expenses and £70 court costs.
Peter Rankin, an Enforcement Officer with the Trading Standards Service said: “Whilst the majority of second-hand car dealers conduct their business in an honest manner, there are still a minority who will attempt to flout the law, causing consumers serious financial loss.
“This case should serve as a warning to those traders who are tempted to break the law that formal enforcement action will be taken against them, including prosecution.”
If you think you have been misled about the description of goods you have bought or you want any advice about goods or services you have purchased please contact Consumerline on 0845 600 6262 or log on to www.consumerline.org.
Notes to Editors:
- The Trading Standards Service investigates 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.
- The Trading Standards Service investigates possible offences relating to the Fair Trading Act 1973. Any statement made by a trader which would attempt to remove or diminish a consumer’s rights under the Sale of Goods Act is an offence under the Act.
- "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.
- Members of the public who are concerned about car clocking can phone Consumerline on 0845 600 6262.
- For media enquiries please contact Margaret Mathieson in the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9611.
- Outside office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
