Pentre Car Company fined

A Rhondda car company and its director were fined for breaching legislation designed to protect consumers in relation to the sale of a car.

The car salesman from Pentre has been caught and held accountable for misleading customers about the vehicles that he presented for sale at M&H Cars Limited of Catherine Street, Pentre.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Trading Standards Officers were alerted to some issues at the premises and visited Mr Jamie Green, Director of M&H Cars Ltd. and issued advice in relation to his obligations to his customers as a car sales business and customer rights. Mr Green declined to work with the officers and refused to be interviewed in relation to the issues.

During the visit the Officers uncovered three potential offences that were contrary to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 in relation to descriptions that Mr Green had applied to a motor vehicle which were false.

Mr Green was then ordered to appear before Merthyr Magistrate Court on 12th June 2024. Mr Green was present in court and entered Guilty pleas to the three charges and was therefore charged with all three offences (Contrary to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 in relation to descriptions that he had applied to a motor vehicle which were false).

The offences included listing the incorrect mileage of 63,000, when the actual mileage on the vehicle display was 63,574, stating that the car had a CD Player and a Sat Nav System enabled. However, upon inspection the car did not have a CD Player and there was no Sat Nav system enabled on the vehicle.

In mitigation he stated that he had not fulfilled sufficient due diligence in respect of this car. He made assumptions that the touch screen within the vehicle would hold a CD Player and that because there was a Sat Nav system button it would be there, he wasn’t aware that the subscription had lapsed and would cost £40 for 5 years. With regards the mileage again he accepted that he didn’t carry out the due diligence.

Mr Green was fined a total of £2132.12 – Fine £120, Costs £1674.12, compensation £290, Victim Surcharge £48.

Louise Davies, Director of Public Health, Protection and Community Services, said: “It is vitally important that anyone owning or running a business makes themselves familiar with consumer legislation. As this case shows, ignorance is no excuse.

“I’m pleased that the magistrates recognised how serious these offences were and that our trading standards team were able to help this customer get justice and hopefully prevent any further issues arising.”Heal;hh 

For more information on Trading Standards, Weights and Measures and Consumer Advice please visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/TradingStandards.

You can also report Illegal Activity within RCT by using the online form.