Fraudsters who made a living by conning customers into buying written-off cars that had cheaply repaired - leaving them a potential deathtrap - have been exposed.
Employees at F1 Autos Ltd, based in Ballards Mews, Edgware, misled motorists by placing adverts for vehicles on websites such as Auto Trader and their own company website but failing to disclose the vehicles had previously been involved in accidents.
In one case, business owners Sarmed Al-Jubury, of Old Rectory Gardens, Edgware, and Yusif Salman, of Randall Avenue, Neasden, sold a Vauxhall Astra with the front end held together only by plastic cable ties, which could have fallen apart at any time. Investigators from Brent and Harrow Trading Standards found most of the vehicles were poorly repaired and unroadworthy.
Many of the vehicles could have be fixed following a smash although the insurance companies had decided it was not cost effective to do so.
F1 Autos would then purchase these cars from auctions and attempt to fix them up on the cheap before reselling them as used vehicles.
The crooks got away with the dangerous scam on several occasions, including when they sold a car without replacing an airbag that had been deployed in a previous crash.
Trading Standards officers eventually received a number of complaints about the company and the condition of the cars they sold.
Al-Jubury, 38, and Salman, 22, were sentenced on Friday at Willesden Magistrates' Court after both admitting offences under the Unfair Trading Regulations.
Councillor Varsha Parmar (Labour), Harrow Council's cabinet member for environment, crime and community safety, said: “This is a horrifying case which could have resulted in a serious injury or death.
“These two individuals knowingly mislead customers and lied just to make a few pounds.
“This type of behaviour will not be tolerated in Harrow. I am pleased that Trading Standards have taken action and made them pay for their crimes.”
Al-Jubury was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service within the next 12 months, and has been electronically tagged for two months and be under curfew between the hours of 9pm and 6am.
He will have to pay compensation to the victims of £300 within six months.
Salman received 12 months' probatio and must complete 20 days' community service. He will be tagged for two months under curfew and will have to pay £600 to the victims.
Mrs Parmar said: “If you are in any doubt seek mechanical advice and carry out a professional check on the vehicle to find out its true history to ensure it is safe and hasn’t been in a serious accident.
“I know finances are tight for everyone, but you shouldn’t take risks with you and your family’s life.”
