Car driven by man (72) had five major defects

A 72-year-old man drove dangerously while his silver, 1.6 special edition Audi Sportback was in an unroadworthy condition and had no fewer than five major defects.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that one of them, relating to the MacPherson strut, used in the front suspension, was classified as“dangerous.”

The others were also described as “major faults,”stated depute fiscal Sarah Wilkinson.

George Robertson, of The Croft, Blairgowrie, paid the penalty this week when he was fined £300 and disqualified for 12 months.

He will also have to re-sit - and pass the extended test before he can get back behind the wheel again.

He had pled guilty by letter to using the vehicle on the A923 Coupar Angus-Blairgowrie road, near Douglas Road, Scone, on May 29, 2020, without a test certificate.

A second charge of driving dangerously, knowing the car was in a defective and unroadworthy condition - in the“face of obvious and potential dangers”- was also admitted.

He had been ordered to appear personally for sentence.

Ms Wilkinson told the court:“About 9am, police were conducting a routine speed check when the accused’s vehicle was brought to their attention as its MoT had expired on April 15, 2019.

“The vehicle was stopped and the accused was the driver and sole occupant.

“It was immediately clear that the vehicle was significantly lower at the front than the rear.”

It emerged that the vehicle had failed its MoT just over a fortnight earlier - on May 12, 2020 - because of five defects.

As well as the MacPherson strut, the nearside and offside front coil springs were broken and the nearside and offside front brake hoses were “excessively corroded.”

The fiscal added: “The accused stated he was aware of the defects and the risks posed in driving the vehicle in such a condition.

“It would be obvious to a competent driver that these faults were present.

“He said he intended to have it repaired but was experiencing financial difficulties.”

The court heard that a“prohibition” notice had subsequently been placed on the Audi.

Robertson, who represented himself, said:“It’s now got its MoT and it’s drivable.”

He explained he had previously taken the car in for its MoT and when he went to collect it was told the bill to sort the defects would be £1200.

He did not leave it because he did not know if he had enough cash to cover that amount and had gone to check.

Imposing the fine and minimum one-year ban, Sheriff Neil Bowie told the accused:“You drove the car in such a state it was dangerous not just to yourself but to other road users.”

Robertson, who has three penalty points on his licence, was given two months to pay the fine.