Fine for motor showroom after car it sold conks out a quarter hour after being sold

A motor dealership which sold a car that broke down within 15 minutes of leaving its forecourt has been fined £10,000 following an investigation by trading standards officers.

South & West Motors Ltd, based on London Road East in Batheaston, Bath, pleaded guilty to breaching the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 by failing to meet professional diligence standards.

The court was told that South & West Motors Ltd sold a vehicle to a consumer without disclosing known engine issues. The business failed to ensure the vehicle was of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose and allowed the consumer to test drive and ultimately drive away a vehicle that it claimed was not roadworthy.

Within a quarter of an hour of the purchase, the vehicle broke down. A mechanic later determined the head gasket had blown, with repair costs exceeding £3,000.

South & West Motors Ltd attempted to avoid the consumer’s statutory rights imposed by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 by applying trade terms to a consumer transaction.

A second complaint involved a vehicle that also developed faults shortly after purchase. The business tried to limit its liability and the consumer’s rights by using terms requiring the buyer to assess the vehicle’s full condition, whereas the law requires the trader to ensure the goods are of satisfactory quality.

Furthermore, the company used a generic disclaimer about mileage accuracy and failed to provide a full refund when the buyer rejected the vehicle.

The company had been advised in detail by Bath & North East Somerset Council Trading Standards team on several occasions over the previous five years, particularly in relation to their paperwork and trading practices.

At a hearing on 12 March, Bath Magistrates’ Court imposed a £10,000 fine on South & West Motors Ltd. The court also ordered the company to pay £811 in compensation to the victims and £7,800 in costs to the council, resulting in a total financial penalty exceeding £18,000.

Council cabinet member for neighbourhood services, Cllr Tim Ball, said: “We are dedicated to protecting residents. If traders misrepresent vehicles or deny consumers their statutory rights, we will act decisively. This prosecution sends a strong message to businesses that noncompliance will not be tolerated.”