Issue Date:  -  Thursday, 23 November 2006

Selling 13 cars nets a fine  

A Beechboro man who bought thirty-six vehicles and sold thirteen of them for profit has been fined $2,000 with costs of $594 in the Perth Magistrates Court.

Van Khanh Phung of Cuttler Road bought and sold vehicles over a sixteen-month period without being the holder of a motor vehicle dealer’s license. He also engaged in repairing damaged vehicles and then on-selling them as whole vehicles.

“Unqualified people buying, repairing and selling vehicles outside of WA’s licensing system put those who they sell to at risk, along with making themselves vulnerable to prosecution,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

“Defective vehicles can be the cause of road trauma and death, and the community has a right to expect protection from backyard operators.

“Licensed traders who deal in motor vehicle sales and repairs invest time and money in keeping their people correctly skilled and licensed, and those who flout the law jeopardize the good reputation of most within the industry who do the right thing,” Commissioner Walker said.

Consumer Protection is interested in hearing from anyone who has any information about backyard vehicle sellers on telephone 1300 30 40 54 or email consumer@docep.wa.gov.au  .