Llanelli garage fined
A former Llanelli garage has been fined £2,000 for offering two cars for sale in a dangerous condition.
Pinetree Motor Cars Limited pleaded guilty at Ammanford Magistrates Court yesterday to two offences contrary to Regulation 8 of the General Products Safety Regulations.
The court was told that in April 2008 trading standards officers made contact with the company, which had set up a new garage at Halfway, Llanelli, called Llanelli Trade Centre, predominantly selling older and cheaper vehicles.
Over the course of three visits they spoke to senior managers and the director of the company and gave advice about vehicle safety issues, emphasising the need to carry out safety checks prior to sale. They even advised the company that they would carry out a subsequent enforcement visit.
Robert Edgecombe, prosecuting, told the court that when officers carried out the enforcement visit on August 30 last year they found five defective vehicles for sale. Two in particular, a Mazda 121 and a Ford Mondeo, had seven serious defects and were found to be unsafe and dangerous.
The Mazda’s faults included chassis corrosion, suspension wear and leaking brake fluid, while the Mondeo’s faults included corroded brake pipes, worn suspension and excessive engine oil leaks. The company appeared to have ignored the previous advice issued.
Pinetree Motor Cars Limited was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay full prosecution costs of £1,441.95.
The council’s executive board member for housing and public protection Cllr Hugh Evans said: “Carmarthenshire County Council has a strict policy in terms of our enforcement of the quality of second hand vehicles being offered for sale.
“The potential consequences for any user of an unsafe vehicle could be fatal.
“I hope that the outcome of this case will serve as a warning to all concerned that we will not hesitate to act where the potential safety of consumers is endangered.”
Pinetree Motor Cars Limited pleaded guilty at Ammanford Magistrates Court yesterday to two offences contrary to Regulation 8 of the General Products Safety Regulations.
The court was told that in April 2008 trading standards officers made contact with the company, which had set up a new garage at Halfway, Llanelli, called Llanelli Trade Centre, predominantly selling older and cheaper vehicles.
Over the course of three visits they spoke to senior managers and the director of the company and gave advice about vehicle safety issues, emphasising the need to carry out safety checks prior to sale. They even advised the company that they would carry out a subsequent enforcement visit.
Robert Edgecombe, prosecuting, told the court that when officers carried out the enforcement visit on August 30 last year they found five defective vehicles for sale. Two in particular, a Mazda 121 and a Ford Mondeo, had seven serious defects and were found to be unsafe and dangerous.
The Mazda’s faults included chassis corrosion, suspension wear and leaking brake fluid, while the Mondeo’s faults included corroded brake pipes, worn suspension and excessive engine oil leaks. The company appeared to have ignored the previous advice issued.
Pinetree Motor Cars Limited was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay full prosecution costs of £1,441.95.
The council’s executive board member for housing and public protection Cllr Hugh Evans said: “Carmarthenshire County Council has a strict policy in terms of our enforcement of the quality of second hand vehicles being offered for sale.
“The potential consequences for any user of an unsafe vehicle could be fatal.
“I hope that the outcome of this case will serve as a warning to all concerned that we will not hesitate to act where the potential safety of consumers is endangered.”
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