East Tilbury rogue car dealer sold unsafe, corroded vehicle
He has been given a six month suspended sentence
A rogue car dealer from East Tilbury has been handed a six-month suspended prison sentence after a prosecution was brought against him by Thurrock Council's Trading Standards team.
Muhammad Bhatti, of Motors For You Ltd, a used car dealership based at Production House, Princess Margaret Road, East Tilbury, pleaded guilty to four offences relating to the sale of unsafe vehicles and six offences of false and misleading advertising.
He sold a car that was found to be in an unsafe condition due to corrosion of the vehicle's frame and issues with other critical safety components.
The car had been advertised as "faultless" despite the poor condition it was found in.
Trading Standards officers inspected cars on Bhatti's forecourt following a complaint. During the inspection they found another non-roadworthy vehicle and identified false advertisements claiming vehicles had full service histories, when that was not the case.
They also saw cars listed at higher prices than those listed on the business' website.
In total, Bhatti pleaded guilty to four offences under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 in relation to the two unsafe vehicles, and six offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 relating to the way the vehicles were advertised. He appeared at Southend Magistrates' Court on Thursday 27th August. He was sentenced to a six-month custodial sentence suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £2,000 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
Cllr Richard Bingley, Leader of Thurrock Council and Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Community Safety and Veterans, said: "This action, and the sentence it has led to for the rogue car trader, shows we will not tolerate anyone seeking to rip off consumers and put safety at risk.
"His guilty plea shows that this individual knew exactly what he was doing when advertising and selling these unsafe vehicles, and the successful prosecution demonstrates that we will leave no stone unturned to ensure anyone seeking to rip off and endanger people in Thurrock is brought to justice."