Unsound car sold by Welwyn dealership

A SECOND-HAND car dealership and its two directors have been fined by a court for selling an unroadworthy vehicle. In March 2008 an officer from Hertfordshire Trading Standards bought an R-reg Seat Toledo from the garage for �699. It was then examined by

A SECOND-HAND car dealership and its two directors have been fined by a court for selling an unroadworthy vehicle.

In March 2008 an officer from Hertfordshire Trading Standards bought an R-reg Seat Toledo from the garage for �699.

It was then examined by police and found to have a number of defects.

Kim Bridgeman and Martin Males were each fined �250 after pleading guilty to the offence. Their company, GMB Car Sales, of Codicote Road, Welwyn, was fined �1,000.

In mitigation, West Herts magistrates heard Bridgeman, 54, Slip Lane, Old Knebworth, and Males, 52, of The Brambles, Welwyn, had been in the motor trade for 30 years with no previous convictions. They also heard numerous testimonials from satisfied customers.

Guy Pratt, head of Trading Standards, said: "The onus is on sellers to ensure any vehicle sold is safe for use on the road. It is not sufficient to rely on an MoT or service history.