Notts dealer fined after selling car which broke down on first journey from garage

QMC-Ltd-Mansfield2
Andrew Ostolski was ordered to pay £2,790 in compensation to three customers, court costs of £1,672 and a fine of £700. Picture: Google.

A Nottinghamshire car trader has been ordered to pay compensation to three customers for a string of unfair trading practices.

Andrew Ostolski, of Heathfield Way, Mansfield, was ordered to pay £2,790 in compensation to three customers, court costs of £1,672 and a fine of £700.

In one case in August 2016 his dealership sold a Ford Focus that broke down on its first journey from the garage.

No refund or replacement was offered to the customer after the garage collected the car.

Ostolski, the former director of QMC Limited, on Bradder Way, pleaded guilty to seven offences against the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 at Mansfield Magistrates Court on Tuesday (January 24).

QMC Limited also received a fine of £750 after pleading guilty to four offences against the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and one offence against the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The court heard how the dealership refused to refund deposits to two customers in December 2015 and January 2016, including a female customer who was subject to aggressive behaviour when she requested the refund.

The dealership also sold a Vauxhall Astra which had faults and was found to be unroadworthy after independent examiners inspected it, but refused the buyer a refund.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Community Safety Committee Chair Councillor Glynn Gilfoyle said: “This dealer used threats and intimidation to customers who had genuine problems with the vehicles he sold them.

“He refused to refund deposits and in one case took the car back and left the customer out of pocket – which is wholly unacceptable.

“The major concern is that he sold a car that was found to be unroadworthy – so justice has been served and the dealer will now have to compensate affected customers and pay fines.”

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