DANGEROUS cars are being sold to unsuspecting customers in Warwickshire.
Warwickshire Trading Standards team have been going undercover to inspect local car dealers and service technicians.
And what they have discovered has led officers to warn people the risks of buying a new car.
Spokesman for community safety, Coun John Horner said: “Warwickshire Trading Standards receives more complaints about used cars than any other consumer product.
“We use complaints from members of the public to target our enforcement action, this involves checking cars on garage forecourts and using our own mystery shoppers to purchase budget used cars or to submit cars for servicing.
“We have found cars for sale that were clearly un-roadworthy and in some cases dangerous to drive.
“Furthermore, Warwickshire car owners could well be paying hundreds of pounds for servicing that has not been carried out properly.”
In Leamington, Stratford and Rugby, vehicles were serviced by main dealers and dedicated car servicing businesses for between £200 and £400.
But every garage missed faults or failed to report or rectify them. These included incorrectly fitted brake pads, low coolant levels and steering rack problems.
Trading Standards are investigating the businesses and have said they will take the appropriate court action.
To ensure residents don’t end up with unsafe cars, they suggest people buy from established businesses, taking someone with vehicle knowledge with them, who can look out for obvious issues such as worn tyres or faulty windscreen wipers.
Call the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506 for more advice or to report a vehicle or service problem to Trading Standards.
