Menu
01/08/2013
Clocked Car Dealer Sentenced
A Limavady car dealer has been found guilty of selling or offering for sale six 'clocked' cars to consumers.
Mr Michael Alexander Gahan, formerly of 8 Petrie Place, Limavady, pleaded guilty to 13 charges.
The investigation followed a consumer complaint alleging that Mr Gahan was selling clocked vehicles. Investigations by the Trading Standards Service then revealed that he had sold four such vehicles to separate customers.
Mr Gahan also offered a further clocked car for sale to two Trading Standards Officers and advertised a sixth clocked car for sale on the Used Cars NI website.
One consumer purchased a second hand vehicle with around 70,000 miles on the odometer from Mr Gahan in November 2010, but later discovered that the vehicle had been clocked.
The car had displayed a mileage of 145,000 miles when sold at an auction house in England in September 2010.
A further car sold by Mr Gahan had a previous mileage of 168,996 miles reduced to 76,000, while another had been altered from at least 166,862 miles down to 72,000 miles. A fourth clocked car was sold to another consumer.
Damien Doherty of the Trading Standards Service said: "This is one of the worst cases of car clocking that the Department has seen for many years. The number of vehicles uncovered by this investigation and the degree by which their mileages had been altered, points to a systematic clocking operation by Mr Gahan. He purchased cars with high mileages, reduced the mileage and sold them to unsuspecting consumers in Northern Ireland with the sole intention of committing fraud.
"Mr Gahan also went to great lengths to deceive his customers. He created false service books for each vehicle using fake garage service stamps to add another layer of deceit to his business operations and to help 'authenticate' the mileage of that vehicle."
Trading Standards advises the public to buy from a reputable dealer, and if possible, to consult with someone who knows about cars before buying.
Online vehicle mileage checks can also be carried out.
(IT/JP)
Mr Michael Alexander Gahan, formerly of 8 Petrie Place, Limavady, pleaded guilty to 13 charges.
The investigation followed a consumer complaint alleging that Mr Gahan was selling clocked vehicles. Investigations by the Trading Standards Service then revealed that he had sold four such vehicles to separate customers.
Mr Gahan also offered a further clocked car for sale to two Trading Standards Officers and advertised a sixth clocked car for sale on the Used Cars NI website.
One consumer purchased a second hand vehicle with around 70,000 miles on the odometer from Mr Gahan in November 2010, but later discovered that the vehicle had been clocked.
The car had displayed a mileage of 145,000 miles when sold at an auction house in England in September 2010.
A further car sold by Mr Gahan had a previous mileage of 168,996 miles reduced to 76,000, while another had been altered from at least 166,862 miles down to 72,000 miles. A fourth clocked car was sold to another consumer.
Damien Doherty of the Trading Standards Service said: "This is one of the worst cases of car clocking that the Department has seen for many years. The number of vehicles uncovered by this investigation and the degree by which their mileages had been altered, points to a systematic clocking operation by Mr Gahan. He purchased cars with high mileages, reduced the mileage and sold them to unsuspecting consumers in Northern Ireland with the sole intention of committing fraud.
"Mr Gahan also went to great lengths to deceive his customers. He created false service books for each vehicle using fake garage service stamps to add another layer of deceit to his business operations and to help 'authenticate' the mileage of that vehicle."
Trading Standards advises the public to buy from a reputable dealer, and if possible, to consult with someone who knows about cars before buying.
Online vehicle mileage checks can also be carried out.
(IT/JP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 December 2019
Car Trader Fined For Selling Clocked Car
A Belfast car dealer now faces a fine of £2,000 after selling a clocked car with almost double the mileage than advertised while claiming to be a private seller.
Car Trader Fined For Selling Clocked Car
A Belfast car dealer now faces a fine of £2,000 after selling a clocked car with almost double the mileage than advertised while claiming to be a private seller.
25 November 2024
How A VIN Check Can Save You Thousands In Repairs
Buying a used car can be quite exciting, with no shortage of risks involved. One crucial step you can take to help cover yourself is performing a VIN check. Much crucial information related to the history of a car is contained in a Vehicle Identification Number, and a well-conducted check saves man from costlier mistakes.
How A VIN Check Can Save You Thousands In Repairs
Buying a used car can be quite exciting, with no shortage of risks involved. One crucial step you can take to help cover yourself is performing a VIN check. Much crucial information related to the history of a car is contained in a Vehicle Identification Number, and a well-conducted check saves man from costlier mistakes.
10 December 2003
Co Antrim car trader fined
A Co Antrim car sales firm has been found guilty in court of selling a clocked car. William Stewart, who traded as Value Car Sales in Glengormley, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £2,300 compensation at Belfast Magistrates’ Court for a breach of the Trade Descriptions Act.
Co Antrim car trader fined
A Co Antrim car sales firm has been found guilty in court of selling a clocked car. William Stewart, who traded as Value Car Sales in Glengormley, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £2,300 compensation at Belfast Magistrates’ Court for a breach of the Trade Descriptions Act.
13 February 2017
Road Reopens Following Westlink Crash
Traffic is moving freely again following a five-car collision on the Westlink on Monday afternoon, 13 February. The crash, which involved five vehicles, occurred at the M2 bound Divis Street on-slip. The road was closed to traffic coming from Divis Street. The accident has since been cleared and the road has re-opened.
Road Reopens Following Westlink Crash
Traffic is moving freely again following a five-car collision on the Westlink on Monday afternoon, 13 February. The crash, which involved five vehicles, occurred at the M2 bound Divis Street on-slip. The road was closed to traffic coming from Divis Street. The accident has since been cleared and the road has re-opened.
09 January 2012
Car Sales Drop Most In NI
According to recent figures the UK new car market has done better than predicted in 2011 but it is still in decline with Northern Ireland sales showing the biggest drop. A regional breakdown of new car registrations has shown that sales in Northern Ireland fell by 11.7% in 2011 to 47,229 vehicles.
Car Sales Drop Most In NI
According to recent figures the UK new car market has done better than predicted in 2011 but it is still in decline with Northern Ireland sales showing the biggest drop. A regional breakdown of new car registrations has shown that sales in Northern Ireland fell by 11.7% in 2011 to 47,229 vehicles.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A mostly dry evening and night with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive, especially in the south. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
