Halfords Autocentre fined after sting operation

12 June 2015  

A Halfords Autocentre has been fined £32,000 and ordered to pay £14,000 costs following a trading standards sting operation.

The centre, in Filton, Bristol, was targeted by South Gloucestershire Council and failed to notice 11 defects purposely created on a Vauxhall Astra that had been booked in for a major service at a cost of £235. These included broken or missing bulbs, irregular tyre pressures, oil leaks and faulty windscreen wipers.

Lee Reynolds, for the council, told North Avon Magistrates’ Court: “It became obvious that not all the checks were done. Things were ticked as having been done that had not been and the consumer was not made aware [of the defects].

“This is a national company. A consumer puts a lot of trust and faith in a national firm to do a proper job to ensure a car service is conducted thoroughly and professionally and in these circumstances it was not.”

Halfords pleaded guilty to eight counts of breaching consumer protection laws and the technician, who carried out the service, resigned. Magistrates fined the company £32,000, ordered them to pay £14,862.04 costs and a £120 victim surcharge.