A Surrey Hills car dealership and its director have been disqualified from holding a licence for four years.
This follows a hearing in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) about Wapshott Motors Pty Ltd for alleged contraventions of the Motor Car Traders Act 1986 and its associated regulations.
The tribunal found there were grounds for taking action against the dealership and that its director, James Wapshott, 44, of Surrey Hills, was not a fit and proper person to be a director of a licensee.
The action taken by Consumer Affairs Victoria alleged breaches of various provisions of Victorian motor car trading laws and came after complaints were received.
Consumer Affairs Victoria alleged Wapshott Motors’ business was being carried out in an unfair and/or inefficient manner, and that the company failed to comply with its licence conditions by failing to lodge relevant transfer documents with VicRoads within the required time following the sale of two cars.
It also alleges the company advertised cars for sale without including their total single price, including all fees and duties, and did not correctly complete entries in its dealings book.
Businesses and individuals found to have breached certain duties under the Act may face penalties of up to $5000. VCAT also has the power to suspend or cancel a motor car trader’s licence.