Car dealer ordered to pay out thousands over Focus that leaked exhaust fumes into cabin

Norfolk Trading Standards found long list of problems despite having already been given guidance to ensure vehicles were roadworthy

Car dealer ordered to pay out thousands over Focus that leaked exhaust fumes into cabin
Image: Norfolk Trading Standards.

A used car dealer has been ordered to pay out around £6,000 after trying to sell a Ford Focus that leaked exhaust fumes into the cabin.

The car, which was on sale at Newton Cars in Norwich, had a corroded rear metal brake pipe and was missing its catalytic converter and exhaust fumes sensor.

The car also had a badly corroded suspension spring and was leaking exhaust fumes into the cabin.

The numerous issues were discovered by Norfolk Trading Standards on a visit to the Newton Lane site in October last year after having first received complaints about the business in 2018.

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Bryson Bowers, 43 and of Newton Cars, had previously been given advice and guidance on trading practices, including the need to ensure vehicles sold from the business were roadworthy.

But following the discovery of the Ford Focus after the visit by trading standards inspectors last year, Bowers pleaded guilty to one offence under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 for the possession and offer of supply of a vehicle with identified dangerous faults at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (September 8).

Although Bowers had not been present during the inspection his son, who had been looking after the business on the day, agreed to voluntarily withdraw the vehicle from sale, trading standards said.

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The history of complaints, significant advice given and discovery of a vehicle for sale advertised online and available to buy on the forecourt in such poor condition led trading standards to take the matter to court.

Bowers was fined £700, ordered to pay full prosecution costs of £5,104.99 to Norfolk Trading Standards and was also ordered to pay a £70 victim surcharge.

Home Page Forums Car dealer ordered to pay out thousands over Focus that leaked exhaust fumes into cabin

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