Car dealer sold Jeep that had faulty brakes

The complainant was told she could collect the vehicle at the beginning of July. Prosecutors said: “It soon became apparent the repairs had not been carried out.”

She decided to take it to another garage, at her own cost, and mechanics found more than a dozen “worrying” defects, including oil leaks and rusty brakes.

Ms Fletcher described All Sorts Motor Company as “unhelpful” from the start and contacted Trading Standards at Caerphilly council.

Prosecutors said the defendant was invited to attend an inspection, but did not reply or attend.

An expert inspected the Jeep on August 24 and concluded it was in a “dangerous and unroadworthy condition” due to the braking system.

He found it should not be taken on public roads as it would present a danger to the driver and other road users.

The court heard the vehicle had previously failed an MOT in 2014 due to problems with the brakes.

Prosecutors said Ms Fletcher sold it for scrap.

Courtney was invited to attend an interview, but did not respond.

Ms Simmons said: “This is not the first time that this defendant has appeared before the courts in connection with his used car business.”

The court heard he was sentenced in January 2017 for four offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.

Prosecutors said he sold a car which was a Category C write-off without telling the buyer and also sold a vehicle described as a 4x4 which was not a four-wheel drive.

Courtney, 28, of Hengoed Road in Caerphilly, admitted two counts of engaging in misleading commercial practice.

Andrew Taylor, mitigating, told the court there is now a “huge difference” in how the business is run, as his client pays a specialist company for advice.

Judge Eleri Rees fined him £1,200 and ordered him to pay a £120 victim surcharge, plus £2,616 in compensation and £8,500 in costs.