In July 2018, Arfan Aslam, trading as Adeez Motors, sold a Mazda RX-8 describing the vehicle as 'mechanically perfect with no issues'. He also stated that the vehicle was a ‘stunning example – drives perfect’.

Following a complaint from the buyer, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council’s Trading Standards team commissioned a vehicle inspection, which identified severe corrosion in a number of key areas, including the sills near to the seat belt, the suspension mounting points and all of the metal ferrule attachments of the flexible brake hoses.

The vehicle examiner concluded that the Mazda was not roadworthy and was too dangerous to be driven on the road.

On 14 March 2019, Arfan Aslam was found guilty of four offences at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court under the Road Traffic Act and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Mr Aslam told the court that the Mazda had passed an MOT test in March 2018, but admitted that he did not have any facilities to check beneath the vehicle.

He was fined a total of £1,760 and had three points added to his driving licence. He was also ordered to pay £2,000 in legal costs, £325 compensation to the buyer and a victim surcharge of £44.

Councillor Gaye Partridge, Dudley's Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "This prosecution sends out a clear message to car traders that they have a responsibility to describe vehicles accurately and check those they sell are safe to use on the road. Dudley Trading Standards will not hesitate to investigate complaints where consumers have been misled, or where their lives have been put at risk by being sold a dangerous and unroadworthy vehicle.”

Should you have any questions about your legal obligations in relation to Trading Standards matters and need a specialist Solicitor, call James Lowe, our Regulatory Partner on 07833 240 400 for advice and assistance.