Buying 46 motor vehicles and then selling 38 of those without a licence has resulted in a $15,000 fine for a Thornlie man who often conducted the illegal transactions from his home.

Steven Jeffrey Land entered a guilty plea at the Armadale Magistrates Court on 7 August 2018 and was also ordered to pay costs of $964.10.

The offences were carried out between 25 June 2016 and 24 February 2018. Mr Land used his wife’s name to buy nine of the 46 vehicles, and to sell six of 38 vehicles that were traded for a total profit estimated at $17,950.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard said the volume of vehicles purchased showed that this was not a minor operation.

“Unlicensed dealing undermines the regulatory regime of licensing and threatens consumer rights such as those covering warranties,” he said.

“Where the vehicles sold are substandard, it can be difficult for consumers to obtain redress if problems do arise.”

Anyone wishing to sell motor vehicles as a way of making money needs to get licensed. More information about this process and the registration requirements is available on the Consumer Protection website at www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au.

Consumers can also use the website to check whether a motor vehicle dealer is licensed by doing a search. 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: Claudine Murphy, (08) 6552 9366 / 0423 846 397 /claudine.murphy@dmirs.wa.gov.au