CAR DEALER IN COURT FOR UNSAFE CARS

On Friday 31 March 2023 at Huddersfield Magistrates Court, Mr Mohammed Tasawar trading as Yorkshire Motor Village pleaded guilty to offences under the General Product Safety Regulations Act 2005 regarding offering for sale two unsafe cars.  Mr Tasawar was fined £576 and was ordered to pay £4279.66 towards the prosecution costs and £210 legal fees.

Officers from West Yorkshire Trading Standards conducted an operation targeting used car garages in West Yorkshire believed to be involved in the supply of unsafe cars. On 20 January 2022 officers conducted a planned visit to Yorkshire Motor Village, 159 Huddersfield Road, Dewsbury along with a qualified vehicle examiner. The purpose of the visit was to inspect vehicles to ensure that they were safe and to check that vehicles were being accurately described in their adverts.  The vehicle examiner carried out detailed examinations of three vehicles that were for sale on the forecourt.  The make, model, price, mileage, MOT history, number of previous keepers and servicing history was checked for each vehicle. 

A Volkswagen Golf was inspected.  The advert stated that the vehicle was in full working order and is a solid car with full-service history, however the vehicle was deemed by the motor engineer to be unsafe and not roadworthy.  Because the vehicle was unsafe a withdrawal notice was issued, and the vehicle removed from sale.

A Seat Leon was advertised as being a very reliable car with a long MOT.  The car was examined, and faults were discovered during the examination that would have been ordinarily spotted on any MOT inspection and would have failed the vehicle during its test making the vehicle unsafe for use on the road and for sale.  A second withdrawal notice was issued, and the vehicle removed from sale.

A third vehicle was inspected and although there were several faults found with this vehicle the MOT was in date and it was roadworthy not unsafe.

On 31 March 2022 officers returned to Yorkshire Motor Village to re-inspect the vehicles.  Neither vehicle was present.  Documentation was given to the officers which showed the Volkswagen Golf had been scrapped and Seat Leon had been returned to a family member who Mr Tasawar was selling the vehicle on their behalf removed from sale.

David Strover  - Trading Standards Manager  - Business Service Team at West Yorkshire Trading Standards said “Second hand car garages have a legal duty to ensure the vehicles they supply are safe and roadworthy when sold for use on the road to consumers  - in this case vehicles were being offered for sale in an unroadworthy condition and purchasers of these cars would have been exposed to unacceptable risks due to the unsafe condition of the cars,  and also suffered a financial loss.   The sales of cars in an unsafe condition are illegal, and we will take action to marginalise such practices.   Consumers looking to purchase a vehicle may wish to consider using garages that are members of a trade association and undertake detailed pre delivery inspections to ensure the quality and safety of cars sold.”

Should consumers have concerns about garages selling unsafe vehicles please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 to report this, this can be done anonymously. 

Notes to editors:

Tips to consumers looking to purchase a used car:

• Check to see if the garage adheres to a code of practice or is a member of an approved scheme such as the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Motor Trade Partnership
• Ask any relevant questions about the vehicle before you purchase such as the Service & MOT history and check associated documents.
• Check the MOT & Mileage history at www.gov.uk
• Take the car for a test drive
• Inspect the vehicle such as the bodywork to make sure you are satisfied and aware of its condition – consider an expert report.
• For more detailed advice visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk