Dealer in court for danger car he said was 'one of the best'
WHEN car dealer John Bond advertised this Peugeot 306 for sale he described it as "one of the best".
But in fact the vehicle was dangerous and unsafe, Barnstaple magistrates heard last week.
Bond, 65, of Summerland Place, Barnstaple, was ordered to pay £2,800 in fines and costs.
He pleaded guilty to placing a misleading advertisement and selling an unroadworthy vehicle.
Four other charges were withdrawn.
Devon County Trading Standards solicitor Tim Law told magistrates Bond had advertised the Peugeot 306 XL on October 7 and sold it soon after for £695.
Mr Law said: "When Mr Bond was interviewed he said he knew cars had to be in a roadworthy condition when sold.
"When the buyers brought the car back and asked for their money back he thought they were just being fussy."
Mr Law said the argument between Bond and the buyers got heated.
Mr Law said: "Bond offered them some of their money back but they said all of it or they would go to the police.
"He then said he was leaving for Australia and by the time the police got involved he would be gone."
Police referred the complaint to Trading Standards and the car was examined by an expert mechanic.
He said that in his opinion the car was dangerous and unsafe.
Defending Bond, Tim Hook said the bodywork on the 15-year-old car was in very good order and the engine was fine, if a bit noisy.
Mr Hook said: "Mr Bond told the buyers the brakes needed adjusting when they were looking at the car.
"Ironically, after taking it away they came back complaining there was something wrong with the engine.
"This wasn't the case. This particular make of car is widely recognised as having a loud engine.
"When the car was inspected the problem with the brakes came to light."
The court heard for about £20 worth of parts and a bit of adjustment by a mechanic the brakes could have been put right.
Mr Hook said: "He realises he should have had the work done and then got the car MOT'd. Once the faults had been made clear he repaid all the buyer's money."
Magistrates fined the retired car dealer £1,000 for selling the car, £500 for placing the advert and ordered him to pay £1,300 toward the prosecution costs.
Bond laughed and offered to pay the fine at £5 a week but magistrates ordered he should pay £50 a week.
Bond then stormed out of the courtroom, shouting that he had been hard done by. Describing the fine as unbelievable he declared: "I shan't pay that."
4 Comments
by kevin, cheltenham
Tuesday, August 17 2010, 3:35PM
“The guy is a crook and has been flogging dodgy cars for at least 30 years,he should be behind bars for the misery he has inflicted on his victims.PS, sue me if you want Mr Bond,you would get laughed outta court.”
by stuart, devon
Wednesday, August 04 2010, 7:19PM
“so having sold a car for £695 he gets fined £2800 unbelivable as stated the brakes needed £20 quid spending on them wot do the people think they buying a bentley if i bought a car for less than £700 quid and found all that was wrong with it was a set of brake pads at a guess i would be taking mr bond out for a pint and thanking him for selling me a bargain problem is some people are so stupid they dont realise the fact SECOND HAND CAR and the magistrates should be ashamed of themselves they prob let perverts off with less”
by Richard, Ilfracombe
Saturday, July 31 2010, 9:51AM
“This guy has been selling dodgy cars for years, I know, I bought one of him. He should really be stopped from selling before he sells 'One of the best' to someone and they end up in a nasty accident !!”
by Brian, Europe
Thursday, July 29 2010, 9:48PM
“The bloke did the same thing to us nearly 20 year ago, trading standards where involved and he was prosecuted. We received nothing and lost our money and the car. He will continue to trade in this manner for as long as he can get away with it. When confronted by us he found it amusing and obviously couldn't care less if he ends up in court.
I would not be surprised if he has been the cause of death in more than one car crash.”