Issue Date:  -  Thursday, 10 April 2003

Motor vehicle dealers stripped of licences

The Motor Vehicle Dealers Licensing Board has issued orders disqualifying Khon Meng Wong of Cossom Place Bayswater and Stephen Poyner of Sheldon Road Esperance indefinitely.

WONG

Mr. Wong trading as Berjaya Wreckers was found to have breached the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act by not keeping proper records of transactions, not providing warranties and not displaying prescribed forms during the period between April and July last year.

"The Board found that the allegations against Mr. Wong were proved and determined that he not be allowed to operate a business which buys and sells vehicles, or wrecks vehicles with the intention of selling the parts.

"Mr. Wong's defence that his main business was wrecking and that he could not obtain the correct forms does not exonerate him from his responsibilities under the Motor Vehicles Dealers Act", Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

The Board found that Mr. Wong had breached sections 25 and 33 of the Act and has disqualified him from holding or obtaining any authorisation under the Act until further notice.

Mr. Wong is also disqualified from working in the motor vehicle industry or frequenting authorised premises without the consent of the Board.

POYNER

Mr. Poyner trading as GS Motors, was found to not be a fit and proper person under the Act for failing to comply with sections 15 and 20 of the Act. The Board found he did not have sufficient knowledge of the Act to hold a motor vehicle dealers licence. His application for renewal of his licence has been refused.

"Mr. Poyner stated that his failure to display or keep proper records was in line with him being a small dealer in Esperance and wanting to give his customers better service.

"Providing correct odometer readings on prescribed forms is a requirement of the Act to inform and protect consumers and Mr. Poyner's admission that he did not do this was of great concern to the Board.

"Sloppy record keeping indicates a basic lack of knowledge and understanding of his responsibilities under the Act and Mr. Poyner has been disqualified from working in any capacity in the motor vehicle industry or frequenting authorised premises until further notice.

"This disqualification includes the car hire business operated by Mr. Poyner known as Hollywood Hire Cars", Mr. Walker said.

Both Mr. Wong and Mr. Poyner have 30 days in which to lodge an appeal with the Local Court should they so wish.