An Ingleburn motor vehicle repairer has been ordered to pay $11,500 in fines and costs by Campbelltown Local Court for operating while unlicensed.

Michael Murray was convicted of two breaches of section 15(1)(a) and section 15(1)(b) of the Motor Vehicle Repairers Act 1980 on 18 May 2010.

Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge welcomed the Court’s decision.

“Consumers have a right to expect repairers to be licensed,” Ms Judge said.

“In April and May 2009, NSW Fair Trading issued Mr Murray with two penalty notices worth $11,000, following a routine inspection of a repair premises in Western Sydney.

“After being fined on the first occasion, and warned to cease trading until he had obtained the appropriate licence, Mr Murray continued to carry out unlicensed repair work resulting in the issuing of a second penalty notice three weeks later.

“Mr Murray chose to dispute the penalty notices in Court, which resulted in him being ordered to pay the fines.”

Mr Murray subsequently applied for a licence on 19 May 2009 and, after satisfying the technical and business related requirements, was granted a licence to operate as a motor vehicle repairer on 5 June 2009.

Ms Judge said there were no excuses for operating without a licence.

“In NSW, vehicle repairers must be licensed to work on your car and must employ certified tradespeople to carry out repairs,” she said.

“Repairers caught carrying out repairs without a licence can face penalties of up to $5,500 on the spot.”

Ms Judge urged consumers to protect themselves by checking a trader’s licence.

“Rule number one is to always check a trader’s licence by contacting Fair Trading on 13 32 20. The process only takes a couple of minutes but it will save you a lot of heartache in the long run,” she said.

“Consumers should also get a written quote before allowing the repairer to carry out any work.

“Lastly, but most importantly, ask the repairer to contact you if any additional work needs to be done and always request an itemised account so there is no chance of being ripped off.”

Ms Judge said repairers who operate in an unfair or dishonest manner risk prosecution and/or having their licence suspended or cancelled.

For more information on buying a car, The car buyers handbook can be viewed or downloaded from this website or copies can be obtained by calling 13 32 20.

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