– Dealer admits dozens of offences linked to unsafe used car sales
– Customers left out of pocket after vehicles quickly developed faults
– Trading standards action highlights risks of misleading retail practices
– Dealer admits dozens of offences linked to unsafe used car sales
– Customers left out of pocket after vehicles quickly developed faults
– Trading standards action highlights risks of misleading retail practices
A car dealer has pleaded guilty to 41 offences following an investigation by Staffordshire Trading Standards.
Sheeth Adam, 40, of Rykneld Road, Derby, has admitted charges linked to selling unsafe vehicles, aggressive trading practices and failing to provide buyers with cancellation rights.
Adam, the sole director of Premium Car Sales in Burton-on-Trent, entered his guilty pleas at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on April 20.
Unsafe vehicle sales
The prosecution followed numerous complaints from customers across the country who had bought vehicles described as being in good condition, well maintained or roadworthy, but which later developed serious faults.
In several cases, vehicles broke down shortly after purchase or were later found to be unsafe or dangerous to drive. Many customers were left significantly out of pocket.
Stoke Sentinel reported that Lucy Daniels, prosecuting on behalf of Staffordshire County Council, told magistrates that Staffordshire Trading Standards had received 16 complaints made between August 2024 and March last year.
“The company came to the attention of Staffordshire Trading Standards in August 2024 when it received a complaint about the sale of a Ford at Elite Car Sales. Trading Standards received more complaints about used cars and these followed a pattern.
“First there was false and misleading information placed on Autotrader – the wording was virtually identical. These ads would claim vehicles were well-maintained, clean cars that ticked all the boxes, which implied to the person viewing the ad they were in good condition and having valid MOTs. They were generally older cars, 10-15 years old, and seemed to be at the end of usable life. They were sold for between £950 and £2,500.
“Customers would call the business, having seen the ad, and some bought vehicles remotely, which would seem to be OK on a test drive. On the journey home, customers started to experience issues such as dashboard warnings and some customers broke down on the way home.
“Some customers found MOTs were not valid. Customers were not told of consumer rights when things went wrong, some had calls blocked and requests for refunds would be refused.”
Trading standards action
Anthony Screen, cabinet member for community safety and resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said: “This case shows the real harm caused when traders deliberately flout the law and put profit before people’s safety.
“Our Trading Standards officers found multiple cases where customers were left with unsafe vehicles, were forced to pay for repairs themselves, or had no option but to scrap vehicles shortly after purchase.
“Anyone selling vehicles must meet their legal responsibilities and we will not hesitate to take tough action where businesses mislead, pressure or abuse consumers.”
Adam’s businesses operated primarily from sites in Horninglow Street and Hawkins Lane in Burton-on-Trent. His businesses traded under several names, including Elite Car Sales, Castle Car Sales, Hodges Car Sales and Budget Car Sales.
He has been bailed to appear before Stafford Crown Court, where he will be sentenced at a later date.
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