A CAR dealer has been fined more than £1,000 after falsifying the mileage and service history of a BMW.

At Bolton Crown Court on 30 January Michael Barry Adams of Cragg Road, Shipley, who traded as Rugby Road Car Sales, Rugby Road, was fined a total of £1,250 for two offences under the Trade Descriptions Act.
He was also ordered to pay Rochdale Council’s costs in full.

Adams pleaded guilty to claiming the BMW 525 had a mileage of 47,900 miles when in fact it had travelled more than three times that distance - 141,698 miles - and also saying the vehicle had a full service history when it did not.

The prosecution, brought by Rochdale Council's trading standards service, was the result of a complaint made by the purchaser, who had travelled from North Wales after seeing an advert for the car in North West Autotrader.

Council cabinet member for the environment and sustainability, Councillor Wera Hobhouse, said: "Other than a house, a car is the most expensive purchase most people will make.

"It is important that consumers can rely on the accuracy of any descriptions given, and trading standards staff at Rochdale Council work hard to ensure this.

"In this case, Mr Adams has paid the price for falling below the standard of conduct expected of a professional car dealer."

Members of the public who are concerned about car clocking can phone trading standards for more help and advice on 08454 040506.