Former car dealer convicted following CCPC investigation

                        	

October 1, 2024

                        	

Patrick Doyle, a former car salesperson, has pleaded guilty to misleading a consumer about the history of a crashed second-hand car.


In a ruling at Gorey District Court last week, Mr Doyle was ordered to pay €1000 towards the legal costs of the CCPC.


The CCPC brought a case against Mr Doyle, a former employee of Byrnes Garage, located in Tinnock, Gorey following an investigation which established that Mr Doyle had sold a vehicle to a consumer without sharing the car’s full history.


In August 2020, the consumer purchased a Ford Fiesta from Byrnes Garage for his daughter to learn to drive in. The consumer inquired whether the car had ever been involved in a crash, and Mr. Doyle provided a car history check printout, which indicated no damage alerts.


However, the car had been imported from the UK in 2017 and Byrnes Garage only presented a history check based on the Irish registration. A subsequent history check on the UK registration revealed that the Ford Fiesta had been damaged in the UK, and on 8 September 2016 was classified as a Category D Insurance Loss, meaning it was considered an “insurance write-off”.


It is illegal for traders to give false or misleading information about the history of a car. Unless otherwise stated, a motor trader should take all reasonable steps to ensure a car is safe and roadworthy, including completing a car history check, before making a car available for sale to a consumer.


While the law sets out the rules for traders, consumers should also take a proactive approach when buying a car and use the CCPC’s online information and checklist to ensure they are getting what they pay for.


Consumers who believe they have been misled by a trader can make a report to the CCPC helpline on 01-402 5555 or use the online contact form on CCPC.ie.
		

                  

                				
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Former Car Salesperson Convicted for Misleading Consumer on Vehicle History

Patrick Doyle, a former car salesperson, admitted to misleading a consumer about the history of a second-hand car in a recent court ruling.

The CCPC brought a case against Mr. Doyle, a former employee of Byrnes Garage, for selling a vehicle without disclosing its full history, which included previous damage.

The consumer purchased a Ford Fiesta from Byrnes Garage, unaware that the car had been previously damaged in the UK and classified as a Category D Insurance Loss.

It is illegal for traders to provide false or misleading information about a car's history, and consumers are advised to verify information independently before making a purchase.

Consumers who suspect they have been misled by a trader can report the issue to the CCPC for investigation and assistance.



Former Car Salesperson Convicted for Misleading Consumer on Vehicle History

Former car dealer Patrick Doyle pleaded guilty to providing false information about a crashed second-hand car's history to a consumer, following a CCPC investigation.