An independent car dealer has been ordered to pay more than £4,200 in fines and compensation after not properly advertising the mileage on a vehicle.

Company bosses this week pleaded guilty to a Consumer Protection Regulations offence of misleading a buyer, after Trading Standards were called to investigate a complaint against Newcastle-based Classy Chassiss following the sale of an Audi TT, reports The Sentinel.

Trading Standards said the firm omitted mileage information from an internet advert for the car in 2013.

Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards officers previously advised the company on descriptions it applied to the car, following an earlier complaint, in January, 2013, that resulted in a refund to another consumer.

The car had more than 190,000 miles on the clock in June, 2009. The company was also advised to obscure and disclaim the incorrect dashboard reading of around 72,000 miles.

Despite the warning, descriptions of ‘more than 100,000 miles’ were made by the company in March 2013.

The last buyer asked for information on the mileage, but was told no more information existed.

Concerns were raised by the owner after the car failed on a lengthy journey just days after purchase and had to be recovered to Classy Chassiss.
While the dispute continued the firm invoiced him £2,100 in storage charges.

However, last week magistrates awarded the buyer compensation of £3,245 to cover the amount he had paid the for the car. The company was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £750.