Issue Date:  -  Friday, 23 September 2005

Unlicensed motor vehicle dealer fined - Rahman Abbas

A backyard dealer who specialised in buying damaged vehicles from auctions, repairing them and then selling them to the public has been fined for unlicensed dealing.

Rahman Abbas, of Ballajura, today pleaded guilty in the Midland Magistrates Court to having purchased or sold 18 vehicles without a motor vehicle dealers licence between June 2003 and December 2004. Mr Abbas was fined $4000 and ordered to pay costs of $300.

Some of the vehicles purchased at auctions by Mr Abbas were insurance write-offs. He had the cars repaired and re-licensed, and sold them to private buyers through newspaper advertisements.

A consumer who purchased a vehicle, which was subsequently found to be structurally unsound, alerted Consumer Protection to Mr Abbas’ activities.

“The consumer had queried Mr Abbas about panel work done to the front of the car,” said Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker.

“Mr Abbas told him the car had received a slight knock in a shopping centre car park when, in fact, it had suffered extensive front end damage from a significant accident and had been sold at auction as an insurance write-off.

“A month later, the consumer’s daughter hit a dog while driving the car. The car had been so poorly repaired that it was badly damaged by the dog and was deemed unroadworthy.

“This case highlights why we take unlicensed dealing so seriously. Not only do backyarders not provide warranties, but they are often unqualified repairers selling potentially dangerous vehicles to the unsuspecting public.”

Mr Walker said licensed dealers are bound by statutory and implied warranties under the Act to ensure vehicles are roadworthy, mechanically sound and safe.

Telephone 1300 30 40 54 or email consumer@docep.wa.gov.au