An unlicensed motor vehicle dealer has been fined $5,000 and ordered to pay costs of $2,197 by the Perth Magistrates Court after pleading guilty on 23 January 2019.

Hafedh Al Anzi of Ellenbrook had purchased and sold 26 motor vehicles between June 2016 and January 2018 without a licence, in breach of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard said unlicensed dealing represented a real danger to the community and jeopardised consumers’ rights.

“Vehicles sold by unlicensed dealers can be substandard and consumers are left with little or no protection if problems arise,” Mr Hillyard said.

“A vehicle purchase may be a consumer’s second biggest purchase, aside from the family home. Unlicensed dealing threatens consumer rights, such as those covering warranties, and can leave people exposed to serious financial losses.”

Consumers can check whether a motor vehicle dealer is licensed by doing a search on the Consumer Protection website: www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au. Unlicensed dealers can be reported by emailing consumer@dmirs.wa.gov.au or by calling 1300 30 40 54.

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Media Contact: Alan Hynd, (08) 6552 9248 / 0429 078 791 / alan.hynd@dmirs.wa.gov.au