Issue Date:  -  Wednesday, 28 June 2006

Unlicensed motor vehicle dealing prosecution

Buying fifteen vehicles and on selling nine of them without holding a motor vehicle dealer’s licence has seen Phan Khoi of Greenpark Road Alexander Heights fined $2,000 and ordered to pay $200 in costs in the Perth Magistrates Court.

Between March 2004 and November 2005 Mr. Khoi carried on the business of buying vehicles, some of them damaged and needing repair, then on selling the vehicles through classified newspapers.

“Backyard motor vehicle dealing is dangerous as consumers can never be sure of the qualifications or skills of cowboys,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

“Mr. Khoi sold nine vehicles and has had to pay $2,200 in fines and costs and now has a criminal conviction on his personal record.

“It is also a timely warning for consumers that chasing a small saving on the price of a vehicle is not worth the risk of buying an unroadworthy or dangerous vehicle.  Mr. Khoi was buying damaged cars from auction sites and repairing them to sell to an unsuspecting public.

“Those who repair and sell motor vehicles without holding the correct licence undermine the protection afforded by licensed motor vehicle dealers who must guarantee to give good title and provide a warranty against defects,” the Commissioner said

Report any backyard operators to Consumer Protection on telephone 1300 30 40 54 or email consumer@docep.wa.gov.au.