Wed, 15 Feb 2006

Drivers are being urged to ensure they have legal Motor Insurance cover and a bit of common sense when it comes to avoiding dodgy second-hand car dealers.

Convicted second-hand car dealer Christopher Fulke-Greville, who was sentenced to prison for 18 months, has had an application to purge his contempt dismissed and he has been ordered to serve the reminder of his sentence.

Mr Fulke-Greville failed to comply with a court order then required him to following Office of Fair Trade (OFT) rulings and he was imprisoned when it emerged he was still breaching a range of legislation designed to protect car buyers and consumers.

Christine Wade, OFT director of consumer regulation enforcement said: "This trader has persistently defied efforts by Trading Standards and the OFT to stop him caused detriment to consumers. In dismissing his application this sends a strong message to all that the courts are prepared to back up the enforcers and take consumer protection issues seriously."

Consumers planning to purchase a second-hand car are advised to carry out the necessary checks on any vehicle and seller to ensure that their new purchase will be fully legal and insured.

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