Irvinestown car dealer fined for selling 'clocked' cars

Second-hand car dealer Mark Leonard of 45 Rahall Road, Drumbulcan, Irvinestown, was today fined £2500 at Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court for selling two ‘clocked’ cars.

In a case brought by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service (TSS), Mr Leonard pleaded guilty to one charge under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and one charge under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

The case arose following a complaint to the TSS that Mr Leonard was selling ‘clocked’ cars. Car ‘clocking’ is the practice of turning back a car’s mileage reading in order to display a reduced number of miles on a car’s odometer. The aim of this is to increase the price of the car, thereby making it more attractive to a would-be buyer.

Following the complaint, a subsequent TSS investigation identified two cars that had been sold by Mr Leonard, both of which displayed incorrect mileages. The first car was a Nissan Primera that had travelled 98,000 miles, but was advertised and sold with 78,000. The second vehicle, a Skoda, was sold with 86,000 miles on the clock and had in fact travelled 91,800.

Catherine McErlean, Trading Standards Service, said: “The practice of ‘car clocking’ to maximise sale price is, unfortunately, prevalent within the Northern Ireland motor trade.

"It is a simple task for a motor dealer to check the history of cars they propose to sell, either through contacting previous keepers, checking MoT certificates or contacting one of the companies that provide information on a vehicle’s history. Dealers can, for example, check whether the vehicle has sustained accident damage, whether there is outstanding finance and can confirm the mileage previously travelled.

“Regrettably, traders who sell clocked vehicles do so to the economic detriment of their customers and at the expense of honest motor dealers. The Trading Standards Service will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against such traders and advises consumers to always be vigilant when purchasing second hand vehicles.”

Anyone who believes they have been sold goods that have been falsely described should contact Consumerline on tel: 0845 600 6262/028 9025 3900 or alternatively log onto the Consumerline website.

Notes to editors:

1. Under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, traders much describe goods accurately. It is an offence to apply a false description to any goods for which a fine up to £5,000 can be imposed.
2. The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations came into force on 26 May 2008. This replaces a number of pieces of Consumer Protection legislation including the Trade Descriptions Act 1968. A fine up to £5,000 can be imposed for an offence under these Regulations.
3. All media enquiries to DETI Press Office: Tel 028 9052 9297. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.