Plymouth garage cleared of falsely claiming car had failed MoT and needed repairs
A PLYMOUTH garage has been cleared of misleading a driver by falsely claiming his car had failed an MoT and needed repairs.
Motor City (Plymouth) Ltd, which has a showroom at Valley Road in Plympton, was being prosecuted by Plymouth City Council for allegedly telling the man he needed to pay to fix his Chevrolet Tacuma.
But when director Ryan Haxby appeared at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday to deny the charge, the prosecution offered no evidence.
Judge Paul Darlow formally acquitted the company and made a defendant's costs order.
It had been claimed the company had engaged in a misleading action by providing untruthful information in claiming the vehicle had failed its test when, in fact, it had already passed.
The result was the customer had spent money they would not have done otherwise, it was alleged.
Outside the court, Mr Haxby told The Herald: "We are a family business and customer satisfaction is our number one aim.
"We are extremely pleased to acknowledge the withdrawal of all allegations by Plymouth City Council, therefore completely exonerating the company of any wrongdoing.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the loyal staff and customers who have supported us throughout this exceptionally difficult time."
A city council spokesman said last night: "A customer contacted us after taking his car to Motor City (Plymouth) Ltd for an MoT and service.
"Motor City subcontracted the MoT testing to another company, but carried out the remedial work itself.
"The customer was told his car had failed its MoT and needed a new washer pump at a cost of around £600.
"When we initially investigated the matter and interviewed a representative of Motor City we found what appeared to be evidence of a criminal act.
"However, on further investigation we were given conflicting information which may have raised questions over the soundness of the prosecution, which is why we made the decision to offer no evidence in court today.
"If it is suspected that an MoT certificate has been issued incorrectly it is the responsibility of Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to investigate."
No one from VOSA was available for comment yesterday.
22 Comments
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by britain ruined by bliar and broon, plymouth
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 4:57PM
“Useless PCC legal team failed again to prosecute a well known, thieving for years, HaxBeen/Still is MotorDealer....
Barry blah blah CEO..Penguin..and Wet Wipes wiggy still " feather their own nest "
That is why Plymouth is a failed, backward city....the rot stems from the top...incompotent public service employed managers...”
by padge, plymouth
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 4:19PM
“PL7 they also sell Subarau's, Landrover,Nissan to name just a few!
I think you should get your facts right before you put something on here.Sorry, just pointing out a fact.We have lost out to these charlotens and feel very bitter that haxby still gets away with it.Have a little thought we have lost money and some (including myself) had to fork out for a new car because of it!”
by Andy, Uptheroadabit
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 4:07PM
“Regardles of what shed anyone posting here says, the negative publicity for this cover up for what was Haxby's should serve some sweet satisfaction to all those who lost out when the old man's empire collapsed. Just a pity that he still appears to be enjoying the proceeds of ripping people off somewhere else.”
by Anon, Plym
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 4:06PM
“PL7 Mafia, no I don't have a Chevie. What I will say is that in no way am I criticising the trade in general. Just this garage / dealer. (My own fault for buying there in the first place really.) But my current mechanic is fantastic.”
by anon569, mannamead
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 3:47PM
“they advertise they are a member of the good garage scheme but were thrown out for ripping people off, terrible !!!”
by anon269, plymouth
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 3:21PM
“everybody knows or have had some form of dealings with the haxby family, starting up motorcity a week after there old business went under owing over a million pound. but for some bizarre reason they are still in business, it should not be allowed and somebody should do something about it.”
by PL7 Mafia, P-Town
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 3:20PM
“My mistake. However the majority of Haxby cars are daewoo / chevrolet / kia.
Kia's are becoming a good brand. The same can not be said for the others.”
by Anon, plymouth
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 2:57PM
“That is correct about the business being in his sons name but the father is still running it etc. That alone should make people a bit weiry of this place and family?
Oh and just being in it for the money comes to mind not care just dosh.”
by p, mannamead
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 2:43PM
“PL7 How do you know that anon bought a chevie? Did i miss read as i cant see that on his post.How do you know this anon is the person who started this investigation?”
by PL7 Mafia, P-Town
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 1:53PM
“To anon (the first one)
You bought a Chevrolet. How aren't you surprised it needed a shedload of work!
To Anon (the second) - it's all over the V5C (logbook) that it is YOUR responsibility as the keeper of the car to inform the DVLA. If you sell to a dealer, you must send off the yellow slip.
And don't think I am sticking up for Haxbys, just the trade in general. I was a salesman for a big local firm and everyone knew Haxbys (as it was then) were crooked sods. God knows how many bought one of Mike Haxbys 'Ltd Editions', which he charged an extra grand for when all they consisted of was a sticker and different wheel trims.
HAhhahahhahaha”