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Car dealers targeted in city-wide crackdown

Posted on 24/04/2009

police,constabulary,leicestershire police Car dealers targeted in city-wide crackdown

DEALERS which offer unroadworthy cars for sale have been targeted in a city-wide crackdown.

Twenty two vehicles suffering from a range safety problems were taken off sale during a joint operation by Leicester City Council Trading Standards Service, Leicestershire Constabulary's Roads Policing Unit and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

The vehicles, which had faults ranging from bald and defective tyres, to faulty brake lights and excessively tinted windows, will now have to be repaired and pass an MOT test before they can be readvertised for sale.

Dealers will face a fine of up to £20,000 if they attempt to sell the cars before repairs are carried out.

Leicester City Council's Trading Standards Manager, John Fox, said: "This was the first set of inspections in our annual programme which has the aim of ensuring that all cars offered for sale in the city are safe, not only for sale but for potential customers to test drive before buying.

"From the comments made to us during these inspections it appears that some traders think it is okay to display unroadworthy cars in the belief that they can repair them before they are sold.

"However, cars must be in a safe and roadworthy condition before they are advertised or placed on the forecourt. As with all goods for sale, it is illegal to offer an unsafe product for sale to the public."

Inspector Viv Brenchley, commander of Leicestershire Constabulary's Roads Policing Unit, added: "This was a very disappointing result. If used, these vehicles would have posed a danger not just to the driver but to other road users as well.

"We will continue to work with trading standards and VOSA on similar operations in the future as part of our ongoing strategy to prevent further fatalities and injuries on our roads."

Leicester City Council's cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Rob Wann, added: "For the second year running, these road safety checks have shown the benefits of the police, trading standards and VOSA sharing their collective expertise to safeguard the interests of people buying used cars.

"These latest findings are very disappointing, and I'd urge all other dealerships in the city to check and ensure their stock is safe for use on the roads."

Anyone who is unsatisfied with the condition of a car they have just purchased can contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506, or visit the Consumer Advice Centre at 6, Bishop Street, Leicester.