Carrick car trader fined £200

In a case brought by the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Trevor Moore Motors Ltd pleaded guilty to two charges under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

In August 2010 a consumer bought a used motor car from the business but discovered almost immediately a serious oil leak. The business, according to DETI, refused to address the problem informing the consumer that the car had been “sold as for scrap” as indicated on a receipt and in subsequent written correspondence. However the consumer had clearly bought the car to be used on the road.

Declan Brown, of the Trading Standards Service, said: “This retailer attempted to wash his hands of this car and was not prepared to accept any responsibility for what he had sold. The consumer clearly bought the car to use it, rather than for scrap and this was upheld by the court.”

Consumer regulations are in place to ensure that consumers’ rights are not diminished by the use of restrictive terms. Anyone who believes they have had their rights restricted should contact Consumerline on 0300 123 6262.