Car dealer from Barford sold unroadworthy car he described on eBay as 'perfect in every way' to a pregnant woman

Alan Cooper was given a conditional discharge for two years, ordered to pay £1,000 as a contribution toward prosecution costs and a £22 victim surcharge
Alan Cooper, aged 51, of Sandy Way, Barford, trading as Aspect Autos, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.Alan Cooper, aged 51, of Sandy Way, Barford, trading as Aspect Autos, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Alan Cooper, aged 51, of Sandy Way, Barford, trading as Aspect Autos, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

A car dealer from Barford who sold an unroadworthy car which he described on eBay as 'perfect in every way' to a pregnant woman has been prosecuted.

Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service brought the prosecution after they received a complaint from a member of the public who had purchased the car for his pregnant daughter.

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Alan Cooper, aged 51, of Sandy Way, Barford, trading as Aspect Autos, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Cooper traded from his home address, parking the vehicles he was selling at locations across Leamington and communicating with customers via phone and text.

A Volvo V70 he tried to sell was inspected by an expert vehicle examiner who concluded that the car was unroadworthy. He identified a number of faults:

- The brake pedal almost went to the floor before the brakes activated.

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- One of the front brake pads was worn down to the metal backing scoring the brake disc.

- The ABS and SRS warning lights were illuminated on the vehicle indicating faults with both the Anti-Lock Braking System and the Air Bag / Seat Belt Restraint systems.

- Poisonous fumes were being released from the engine breather and exhaust systems into the engine bay which in turn could enter the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Warwickshire County Councillor Andy Crump, portfolio holder for community safety said: “Car dealers must ensure that the vehicles they sell are both legal and roadworthy, otherwise they are putting lives at risk.”

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“Our Trading Standards Officers are working to protect all road users and I urge anyone who thinks they may have purchased an unroadworthy vehicle to report the matter to Warwickshire Trading Standards for help and advice.”

“Consumers can also take their own precautions by following our used car buyer top tips.”

On sentencing Magistrates stated that Cooper needs to pay much more attention to the vehicles he sells.

In mitigation, Mr Cooper stated that he normally made £200 to £300 profit on every vehicle he sold (normally selling about 40 vehicles per year) but he had been unable to sell as many cars this year due to the Covid restrictions.

Cooper was given a conditional discharge for two years, ordered to pay £1,000 as a contribution toward prosecution costs and a £22 victim surcharge.