A licensed Maddington motor vehicle dealer and repairer has been fined $30,000 by the Perth Magistrates Court on 28 July 2017 for selling four vehicles that had their odometers wound-back.

Mazin Alkiaat, operating as W.A. Auto and Parts, was also ordered to pay costs of $350.35. He pleaded guilty to four charges of making false or misleading representations about the history of the vehicles which were originally purchased at auction by Mr Alkiaat, then on-sold to another dealer.

The buyer of the four vehicles was misled with the odometer readings showing fewer kilometres travelled than was the case:

• A 2006 Mitsubishi Triton that had travelled 307,235 kilometres had a reading of 160,211 when sold in May 2016;
• A 2006 Nissan Navara that had travelled 203,145 kilometres had a reading of 145,604 kilometres when sold in July 2016;
• A 2006 Toyota Camry that had travelled 166,233 kilometres had a reading of 131,277 kilometres when sold in August 2016; and
• A 2007 Nissan Navara that had travelled 217,375 kilometres had a reading of 167,506 kilometres when sold in October 2016.

Magistrate Wheeler said the offences were a quintessential failure of Mr Alkiaat’s obligations as a licensed dealer and stated that he shouldn’t be working in the industry. His two licences are now under review by the Department.

Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard said such deception was a serious breach of consumer law.

“To misrepresent the number of kilometres a vehicle has travelled in order to attract a higher price is a calculated and determined deception that is illegal and takes advantage of an unsuspecting buyer,” Mr Hillyard said.

“We have zero tolerance to the practice of winding back odometers and will take swift action as soon as any cases are brought to our attention.

“There are a number of ways of finding out the true history of vehicles, so those who engage in this type of sham will quickly be caught out.”

Motor vehicle buyers who believe they have been misled can lodge a complaint on the Consumer Protection website www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/consumer-protection. Enquiries can be made 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