An unlicensed motor vehicle dealer has been fined $5,000 and ordered to pay costs of $943.50 by the Perth Magistrates Court after pleading guilty on 10 June 2019.

Daniel Alan Hodgins of Baldivis had purchased and sold 16 motor vehicles between April 2017 and July 2018 without a licence, in breach of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard said unlicensed dealing threatened the rights and protections of consumers and created an uneven playing field for the industry.

“Unlicensed dealers often deny consumers the right to a remedy if there is a problem with the purchase because they’re operating outside the law and don’t comply with warranty obligations," he said. 

“I urge consumers to report any unlicensed activity being carried out in the community to Consumer Protection so that action can be taken.”

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: Courtney Notte, (08) 6552 9366 / courtney.notte@dmirs.wa.gov.au