A Westbury motor trader has been prosecuted following an investigation by Wiltshire Council’s Trading Standards officers into the sale of faulty and misdescribed vehicles.
Benjamin John Meacham, 35, of Phipps Close, Westbury, appeared before Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 18 August, where he pleaded guilty to three offences relating to the sale of motor vehicles through Meachams Car Centre and Meachams Car Centre Westbury Ltd.
He was fined £1,400 and ordered to pay a further £2,600, comprising £980 in prosecution costs, £1060 in compensation and a victim surcharge of £560.
The prosecution followed complaints from two consumers who purchased vehicles that were either faulty or not as described and were subsequently refused refunds after attempting to exercise their legal rights.
One case involved the sale of a Fiat 500L to a Melksham resident in June 2025 for £1,850.
Following the purchase, the customer discovered the vehicle had previously been classified as a Category S insurance write-off, meaning it had sustained structural damage.
Trading Standards officers found that this information was available when the vehicle was acquired by the business but was not disclosed to the customer before the sale.
When the customer attempted to reject the vehicle because it had not been accurately described, she was informed that Mr Meacham could not refund her and could not take the vehicle back. A subsequent written request for a refund received no response.
In the second case, a Westbury resident purchased a Ford KA for £2,200 after seeing it advertised on social media in March 2025. During a test drive, the vehicle displayed a flashing odometer, which Mr Meacham assured the customer would be repaired.
Further faults developed after the purchase and, despite the vehicle being returned for repair, the defects remained unresolved. When the customer sought to reject the vehicle and obtain a refund, repeated requests were refused. The vehicle later became a non-runner.
Cllr Paul Sample, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: When purchasing a vehicle from a trader, consumers have clear rights and should be able to make informed decisions based on accurate information about the vehicle they are buying.
“In this case, one customer was sold a vehicle that developed significant faults and was denied a refund, while another was not told that the vehicle they purchased had previously been classed as a Category S write-off.”
