Rogue car dealer hit with fine over unsafe Mazda MX5 he sold on Ebay
A rogue car dealer from Dudley who sold a Mazda MX5 found to be unsafe for the road has been ordered to pay out more than £3,000 at court.
Umar Ijaz, aged 36, of St Michael's Grove, pleaded guilty to supplying a vehicle in an unroadworthy condition and to two offences relating to professional diligence and a misleading description in front of Dudley magistrates.
In the case, brought by Dudley Trading Standards Ijaz – trading as Lexuschap on Ebay – sold a Mazda MX5 to an unsuspecting buyer for £700. Six days after the car was bought, it broke down and was taken to a garage and the buyer was told it was not safe to drive. They complained to trading standards after unsuccessfully trying to obtain a refund from Ijaz.
An expert vehicle examiner inspected the car and found several faults including severe corrosion of the metal on which the seat belts were anchored and a defective handbrake. There was also evidence the vehicle had been involved in a previous head-on crash. Ijaz was fined £1,050, ordered to pay £640 compensation and £1,300 costs as well as a £40 victim surcharge.
