A CAR dealer who sold unroadworthy vehicles has been ordered to pay more than £3,000 for his crimes.

Kit Peter Barrett, of Chatsworth Place, Harrogate, pleaded guilty to six offences at York Magistrates’ Court, including selling unroadworthy vehicles without proper documentation and trading without professional diligence.

The prosecution was brought by City of York Council against Barrett and the company he is sole director of – Kit’s Cars Ltd of Briscoe Ridge Lane, Beckwithshaw.

The court heard Barrett sold two cars to consumers, who were both from York and on a tight budget, without the necessary V5 DVLA registration.

One customer was not given an MoT certificate.

Neither vehicle was roadworthy, and despite a number of requests, Barrett did not refund either purchase and failed to respond to any correspondence from the two customers who were obliged to scrap their cars as neither could afford to repair them.

Kit’s Cars Ltd had previously received verbal and written advice on civil and criminal law obligations on several occasions, and was visited by Trading Standards officers and VOSA inspectors to assess the roadworthiness of vehicles offered for sale on the forecourt.

Councillor Sonja Crisp, who is responsible for Trading Standards on City of York Council, said: “City of York Council takes the supply of dangerous products very seriously.

“These cars had major faults, risking the lives of the driver, their passengers and potentially other road users.

“These cars should not have been sold by a professional car dealer in this condition.

“The way the customers were treated when they asked for the problems to be sorted out was appalling.

“Thankfully instances like this are rare, but anyone with a similar complaint is urged to contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline on 03454 040506.”

Barrett was given a three-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £1,936.69.

He was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £15 and compensation to one of the customers of £1,039.86.