Car dealer from Worthing fined for selling illegal vehicle

Darren Van de Wegg was ordered to pay more than £7,000 following an investigation by the trading standards department that found he had sold a dangerous vehicle made up of two cars welded together.

Van de Wegg, from Alinora Drive, Goring By Sea, was director of DK Garage and Classics Ltd at Unit 1 Link Farm, Pulborough Road, Wiggonholt - a village near Pulborough, West Sussex.

West Sussex Trading Standards were first alerted by the person who bought the car.

After arranging for some restoration work to be undertaken, the customer discovered it was what is known as a 'cut and shut' vehicle.

The car was then inspected by a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency officer who said it was 'probably in the worst condition I have ever seen in my 20 years in the job' and 'the structural integrity of the vehicle was totally compromised by a series of extremely insufficient structural welding repairs, rending the vehicle, if it were able to be used, dangerous to be used on the highway'.

According to trading standards, Van de Wegg pleaded guilty to selling the unsafe Ford Escort and was fined £923 and ordered to pay £5,435 in compensation, costs of £1,409 and a £92 victim surcharge.

Peter Aston, West Sussex Trading Standards Team Manager, said: “Selling an unsafe car was incredibly irresponsible. It is fortunate the car’s faults were discovered before a serious crash occurred.”

Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “This was a deliberate attempt by the company to deceive an unsuspecting customer for financial gain. I hope the outcome of this case will deter others from committing similar crimes.”

Anyone who thinks they have purchased an unsafe product, should contact Trading Standards at westsussex.gov.uk/tsreport or via Citizens Advice on 03444 111 444.