Car salesman fined for false advertising

A SECOND-hand car salesman from Royton has been fined for false advertising.

Martin Kendall, owner of Thornham Car Sales, who trades from his home address at Snipe Leach Farm, Pit Lane, admitted eight breaches of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulation 2008 at Bolton Crown Court.

The 53-year-old was caught lying about mileage readings, the number of previous keepers and the age of cars. He was fined £8,000 (£1,000 per offence) and ordered to pay court costs of £4,469 and victim surcharges totalling £120 in a case brought by Rochdale Council.

One vehicle, a BMW 316ti, was sold twice by Kendall, each time with an altered mileage reading. On the second occasion the vehicle was advertised as having travelled 75,000 when it had done more than 150,000 miles.

Evidence submitted in court showed differences in valuation between Kendall’s false descriptions and accurate guides included £5,390 for an Alfa Romeo. He received £1,320 more for a BMW than should have been charged.

Trading standards officers had advised Mr Kendall, who has owned the small family business for 30 years, on at least two occasions about his unfair practices over two years following complaints from unhappy customers — but were ignored.

Public Protection Manager Andy Glover said: “False advertising is a serious offence. It flies in the face of customer protection rights. When making a purchase customer is entitled to a true representation of the product to make an informed decision.

“It’s unclear how much Mr Kendall has profited from his deceit and how many of his customers have been ripped off, but we expect he’s made considerable amounts of money through his deceptive sales tactics. This is unfair and unacceptable.”

Rochdale Councillor Terry Linden said: “We have a duty to enforce consumer laws and make sure our customers are not getting ripped off! Mr Kendall has ruined his reputation by choosing to be deceitful rather than honest. I hope traders will learn from this example that in the long-term honest trading is the most profitable way to run a business.”