Car trader sentenced after misleading customers and faking vehicle histories
Max Grunfeld, 34, has been banned from the motor trade
A car dealer from Gloucestershire has been sentenced after customers were sold vehicles with false service histories.
Thirty four year old Max Grunfeld, who traded as BMG Autohaus, admitted offences relating to fraudulent trading, misleading consumers, and producing a false service history booklet. at Gloucester Crown Court on May 15 after a Trading Standards investigation.
He has beendisqualified as a director for 10 years. and must complete 200 hours of unpaid work as part of a three year community order - which means if he fails to meet the conditions set by the court he can be brought back to be sentenced for the original offence.
Grunfeld has also been ordered to 25 rehabilitation days and given a criminal behaviour order, meaning he cannot sell, advertise cars other than his personal vehicle, or work in the car trade.
He must return to court every six weeks to report on his gambling addiction issue, and a timetable was set for a Proceeds of Crime Investigation to be conducted.
The court heard how Grunfeld advertised four vehicles claiming they had full service histories, which were later found to be false.
Two customers were advised by him that the service history documents would follow the sale. These never materialised and on one vehicle, Grunfeld prepared and supplied a false service history booklet.
It was also heard that during the sales process, he made statements such as “one million percent there” and “be rest assured that car’s got full service history”.
When a customer later pressed for the service history, misleading information was provided and a false service history booklet was produced.
Gloucestershire County Council said further concerns came to light during an inspection by Gloucestershire Trading Standards, where two additional vehicles were identified as having discrepancies in their service history documentation.
Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member responsible for Trading Standards at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “This case shows how seriously we take any attempts to mislead or deceive customers. People have a right to trust that the information they are given when buying a vehicle is accurate and honest. Our Trading Standards team works hard to protect residents from unfair and fraudulent practices, and we will not hesitate to take action where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing.”