Dodgy car dealer lied about mileage

Mr Christopher Christoforou, who traded as Sandmoor Motors, of Leeds Road, Birstall, also falsely advertised vehicle mileages, blanked out advisory items from MOT certificates and failed to declare the insurance write-off status to customers.

He was sent to prison for six months at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday.

One customer complained that a Renault Clio advertised with 60,000 miles had an actual mileage of 76,000 miles. He was not told the car was a category C insurance write-off and six advisory items had been blanked off the MOT certificate. Christoforou amended the advert after the sale had been agreed.

Trading Standards carried out an operation with the Vehicle and Operator Services agency and the police. One vehicle had a discrepancy of 46,000 miles. A proceeds of crime investigation is underway.