Dealers selling cars as private
Discussion
I'm in the market for a new car (or at least, at that stage where I'm obsessively looking at loads of different models, deciding on one and then changing my mind a few days later)
I've found a car on PH classifieds advertised by a trader, only to find the same car (same reg number) again advertised £400 cheaper on ebay as a private sale.
Aside from being dodgy, is the trader breaking the law?
I've found a car on PH classifieds advertised by a trader, only to find the same car (same reg number) again advertised £400 cheaper on ebay as a private sale.
Aside from being dodgy, is the trader breaking the law?
In a word, yes.
A trader can, in theory, sell their own (personal) car as a private sale but if it's listed as a trade sale in one ad it would be pretty hard to satisfy a court that it was a private sale elsewhere.
Traders hiding their "trade" status is a specific offence under Reg.12 of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 as an unfair practice according to Schedule 1, para 22, of that Order:
22. Falsely claiming or creating the impression that the trader is not acting for purposes relating to his trade, business, craft or profession, or falsely representing oneself as a consumer.
Regulation 13 of the Order gives:
13. A person guilty of an offence under regulation 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 shall be liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum; or
(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.
So it's potentially a pretty serious offence.
edited to add: damn forum won't do italics over multiple paras
A trader can, in theory, sell their own (personal) car as a private sale but if it's listed as a trade sale in one ad it would be pretty hard to satisfy a court that it was a private sale elsewhere.
Traders hiding their "trade" status is a specific offence under Reg.12 of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 as an unfair practice according to Schedule 1, para 22, of that Order:
22. Falsely claiming or creating the impression that the trader is not acting for purposes relating to his trade, business, craft or profession, or falsely representing oneself as a consumer.
Regulation 13 of the Order gives:
13. A person guilty of an offence under regulation 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 shall be liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum; or
(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.
So it's potentially a pretty serious offence.
edited to add: damn forum won't do italics over multiple paras

Edited by Variomatic on Friday 31st December 22:11
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