An unlicensed dealer from Bentley, Western Australia, has been fined $10,000 after selling 27 cars in one year.
Faizan Afzal bought the vehicles between February 2011 and March 2012, either through individual private sales or an auction house. He then placed 191 adverts on the online classifieds website Gumtree.
Commissioner for consumer protection Anne Driscoll described it as a clear breach of the law.
“Under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act anyone buying and selling cars in a business capacity must hold a licence. Afzal sold many cars and made a significant profit in the process, so he was clearly carrying on a business,” she says.
Driscoll explained that the licensing system exists to protect car buyers.
“In order to obtain a car dealers licence, operators must prove themselves to be fit and proper to trade within the motor vehicle industry.
“Backyard dealers have not passed these checks and consumers should be very mindful of this. Once a car is paid for and driven away, it may turn out to be un-roadworthy – putting the driver and any passengers at risk. There is no warranty either.”
Illegal car dealing in WA can be reported to Consumer Protection by calling 1300 30 40 54 or emailing: consumer@commerce.wa.gov.au.
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