– Used car trader prosecuted after customers were refused refunds
– One vehicle developed serious faults and became a non-runner
– Another buyer was not told their car was a Category S write-off
– Used car trader prosecuted after customers were refused refunds
– One vehicle developed serious faults and became a non-runner
– Another buyer was not told their car was a Category S write-off
A car trader has been ordered to pay £4,000 after refusing refunds to customers sold faulty or misdescribed vehicles.
Benjamin John Meacham of Westbury, pleaded guilty to three offences relating to vehicle sales through Meachams Car Centre and Meachams Car Centre Westbury Ltd.
Appearing at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on August 18, he was fined £1,400 and ordered to pay £980 in prosecution costs, £1,060 in compensation and a £560 victim surcharge.
The prosecution followed an investigation by Wiltshire Council’s Trading Standards officers into complaints from two customers.
Ford Ka became a non-runner
One customer bought a Ford Ka for £2,200 in March 2025 after seeing it advertised on social media.
The car displayed a flashing odometer during a test drive, but Meacham assured the buyer that the problem would be repaired.
Further faults developed after the sale and remained unresolved despite the vehicle being returned for repair.
The customer subsequently attempted to reject the car and secure a refund, but repeated requests were refused. The vehicle later became a non-runner.
Category S status not disclosed
In a separate case, a Melksham resident paid £1,850 for a Fiat 500L in June 2025.
The customer later discovered that the vehicle had previously been classified as a Category S insurance write-off, indicating that it had sustained structural damage.
Trading Standards found that the information was available when the business acquired the vehicle but had not been disclosed before the sale.
When the customer attempted to reject the Fiat because it had not been accurately described, she was told Meacham could not refund her or take the vehicle back. A subsequent written refund request received no response.
Cllr Paul Sample, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for public protection, said: “When purchasing a vehicle from a trader, consumers have clear rights and should be able to make informed decisions based on accurate information about the vehicle they are buying.
“In this case, one customer was sold a vehicle that developed significant faults and was denied a refund, while another was not told that the vehicle they purchased had previously been classed as a Category S write-off.”
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