Beware of bogus Slough private car sellers
Slough Borough Council’s trading standards team are clamping down on businesses posing as private car sellers and is warning potential buyers to steer clear.
Vehicles are being sold through small ads in Slough newspapers, as well as through for sale signs in cars on the road or pavements, without indicating that the sale is in fact a trade one.
These traders are attempting to avoid consumer protection laws which apply to honest traders for the benefit of the consumer. This in turn means the consumer will have no guarantees or means of seeking any compensation if things go wrong.
Traders can sell cars in the small ads and from the street, but they must adequately identify themselves as trading.
If such advertising persists, Slough trading standards officers will be taking action to prosecute under the Business Advertisements Disclosure Order 1977, where the maximum penalty is six months imprisonment and/or a £5000 fine.
Any consumers or businesses in Slough requiring advice or have any information, should contact a member of the trading standards team on 01753 875255.
Keith Eaglestone, trading standards manager for Slough Borough Council, said: “We already have three investigations in progress and we intend to stop this practice in Slough.
“Consumers should have confidence in who they are dealing with when buying a car, but we need the public’s assistance and information to identify these rogue traders.”
Slough Borough Council