Clocked BMW sold by car dealership with more than 110,000 miles removed
A second hand car dealer has admitted that his business sold a BMW X3 with more than 110,000 miles removed from the clock.
The vehicle was advertised for sale on Auto Trader as having done 118,000 miles when the real figure was more than 224,000, Wolverhampton magistrates heard.
The vehicle was sold in June 2016 for £3,695 – just days after being bought at auction for £2,700, revealed Mr David Elliott, prosecuting on behalf of Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards Department.
Visible
When Dartkon Motors A&K Ltd, of Bearwood Road, Smethwick bought the 05 Reg BMW from British Car Auctions the mileage was accompanied by a warning that the reading of 118,000 miles was incorrect.
This was not included in the Auto Trader advert.
Mr Elliott said: “There was no disclaimer visible near the reading nor was the complainant informed that it was inaccurate.”
The receipt given to the purchaser by Dartkon also contained claims that broke Consumer Protection and Unfair Trading Regulations, the court was told.
Six months later the car broke down three times in quick succession and was accepted for a straight swap with another trader for a different car worth £3,500 until it was discovered the BMW had been clocked.
Quizzed
The new owner complained to Dartkon but was told it was not their problem because the joint owner of the business who sold it died five months after the sale.
The owner complained to Trading Standard who confirmed the death but quizzed his partner, 46-year-old Artur Daniluk from Field Avenue, Northfield.
Mr Mazar Iqbal, defending, said: “He does not know whether his partner forgot to include the warning about the inaccurate mileage, or there was another explanation.”
Daniluk admitted fraud by false representation and fraudulently advertising the car with a false mileage.
The pleas were entered on behalf of Dartkon Motors of which he was the director.
He was fined £500 and told to pay £1,500 compensation with £2,000 costs.
