Issue Date:  -  Monday, 28 May 2001

Warning after unlicensed motor vehicle dealer is fined

Commissioner for Fair Trading Patrick Walker is reminding consumers and traders of the seriousness of dealing in motor vehicles without a licence.

he latest reminder comes after Rockingham man Meng Wong Khong, 42, and his company, Berjaya Corporation (Aust) Pty Ltd, were fined $2000 for breaching the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act.

Khong pleaded guilty to a charge of breaching the Act in the Perth Court of Petty Sessions last Thursday (May 24) and was fined $1000.

As the director of the company, Khong also pleaded guilty on behalf of Berjaya Corporation to another charge of breaching the Act. The company, a service repair business in Morley, was fined $1000.

Khong and Berjaya Corporation paid $307.40 in court costs.

Mr Walker said Khong and his company bought accident-damaged vehicles from an auctioneer to sell to the public or to wreck for parts to send overseas

Of the 15 vehicles purchased, six were sold in 1999 and seven were sold in 2000. Most of these were sold to overseas students.

Neither Khong nor Berjaya Corporation had ever held a dealer's licence or a limited wrecker's licence.

Mr Walker said unlicensed dealing in motor vehicles was of concern to the industry and was taken seriously by the Ministry of Fair Trading.

"Unlicensed dealers create unfair competition for licensed dealers and deprive consumers of statutory protection in terms of their purchases," he said.

"Licensing motor vehicle dealers ensures that only fit and proper traders remain in the industry and consumers' interests are protected."