TRADING Standards bosses are celebrating after a car salesman received a stiff fine for selling a dangerous car.

John Grundy, who traded as J and C Car Sales, based on Manchester Road, Westhoughton, has been ordered to pay out £5,235 by Bolton Magistrates.

He was said to have sold an F-registered Ford Escort car to William Pye, of St Helens. The chassis was later found to be badly corroded and the brakes were defective.

Mr Pye discovered the problems a day after buying the £1,200 car last April.

When the brakes failed to work properly he took the vehicle to a garage but mechanics refused to repair them after they discovered the badly corroded chassis.

This week Trading Standards officers welcomed the magistrates' decision. Principal Trading Standards officer Richard Lindley said: "The vehicle was in a very bad condition and clearly should not have been on the road.

"When people are buying cars they do not clamber underneath to have a look and you certainly should not have to do that if you're buying from a car dealer.

"We're pleased with the court's decision. It will act as a deterrent to others. There will always be sales of unroadworthy vehicles but these large fines are very welcome."

The decision came after Trading Standards chiefs had specialist motor inspectors prepare a report on the Ford Escort which concluded the car was a danger.

Mr Grundy was ordered to pay fines of £2,500 for supplying a dangerous and unroadworthy car, contravening the Road Traffic Act, 1988.

Two fines of £500 each were imposed for contravening the Business Names Act, 1985. He was also ordered to pay £1,260 costs and £475 in compensation.

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