A DUDLEY motor trader has landed a court bill of more than £3,000 after admitting selling an unroadworthy vehicle.

Umar Ijaz, aged 36, of St Michael’s Grove, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Road Traffic Act of supplying a vehicle in an unroadworthy condition and to two offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations relating to professional diligence and a misleading description.

In the case, brought by Dudley Trading Standards Ijaz, trading as Lexuschap on ebay, sold a Mazda MX5 to an unsuspecting purchaser for £700.

Six days after the car was purchased, it broke down and was taken to a garage, where the purchaser was advised it was not safe to drive.

They complained to trading standards after unsuccessfully trying to obtain a refund from Ijaz.

An expert vehicle examiner inspected the car and found several faults including severe corrosion of the metal on which the seat belts were anchored and a defective handbrake.

There was also evidence that the vehicle had been involved in a previous frontal collision which had resulted in the distance between the offside wheels being shortened which could have caused the car to steer off track.

Ijaz was fined £1,050 when he appeared at Dudley Magistrates Court and ordered to pay the customer £640 compensation and costs of £1,300 to Dudley Council and a £40 victim surcharge.

Nick Powell, head of environmental health and trading standards at Dudley Council, said: “Consumers have a right to expect that second hand cars sold to them are safe to be on the road.

"Traders have a legal responsibility to ensure vehicles they sell are safe and are described fully and accurately, because it is vital that consumers receive the information they need to make an informed choice about whether to purchase.

"We will not hesitate to take action against traders who put profit before safety or make misleading claims”