12-year ban for unauthorised Mercedes deals

A LANCASHIRE classic car dealer has received a 12-year director ban for selling cars without the owners’ knowledge.

Andrew Stansfield’s business Classic Benz, based near Lytham St Annes, was acting as a broker on the sale of at least seven cars when he completed deals and kept proceeds of £129,000 without telling the owners.

Mr Stansfield, 53, of Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire, gave an undertaking to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills that he will not manage or in any way control a company or be a director until 2025.

Classic Benz was placed into liquidation on April 28, 2011 with an estimated debt of £194,023. The investigation also found that Mr Stansfield failed to maintain, preserve or deliver up adequate accounting records to the liquidator.

As a result it has not been possible to ascertain and verify certain aspects of Classic Benz’ trading. It was also impossible to establish its assets and liabilities at the date of liquidation.

Claire Entwistle, lead investigator for the Insolvency Service, said: “The Insolvency Service will rigorously pursue company directors who deliberately breach the trust of customers and seek to personally gain from such action. Fair treatment of customers and creditors is essential for business confidence which is, in turn, essential for economic growth.”