Consumers compensated $125,000 after NSW Fair Trading investigators uncover odometer tampering
Three people have received Community Corrections Orders and consumers have been awarded more than $125,000 in compensation after NSW Fair Trading uncovered that sellers had wound back the odometers of 10 cars by 2 million kilometres.
Recently, Adam Dabbagh was ordered to pay five consumers a total of $65,670 after being found guilty of odometer tampering and fraud-related offences after vehicle odometers were wound back a total of 1.1 million kilometres.
In one case, Mr Dabbagh purchased a Toyota Prado for $8,000 with 397,000km on the odometer, selling it weeks later for $32,000 with an odometer reading of 107,000km. Mr Dabbagh has been sentenced to a three-year Community Corrections Order and has 30 days to appeal.
Thirumalesh Guilraj Ullal was sentenced to a 12-month Community Corrections Order for two offences relating to obtaining a financial advantage by deception, two offences of odometer tampering, and one offence of using false documents relating to a logbook.
In one case, a vehicle originally purchased for $5,000 with an odometer reading of 304,742 km was later sold for $36,000 with a reading of 115,000km, and Mr Ullal has paid $47,000 in compensation to consumers.
Mr Ullal has appealed his sentence to the District Court of New South Wales.
Maher Naboulsi was ordered to pay $12,480 in compensation to consumers after being convicted for three counts of odometer tampering and one count of fraud involving the use of a forged service logbook. NSW Fair Trading investigators uncovered that Mr Naboulsi was committing these offences while engaging in unlicensed motor dealing.
In one case, Mr Naboulsi purchased a Toyota Hiace for $4,000 with 450,000 km on the odometer, changed its number plates, and then sold it two days later for $8,500 having wound back the odometer to 188,228 km.
Mr Naboulsi was sentenced to a Community Corrections Order for a period of 12 months.
For more information on buying a new vehicle, please visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/buying-and-selling-vehicles/buying-a-used-vehicle
Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“Purchasing vehicles privately and on online marketplaces comes with risks. If you buy a used vehicle from a licensed motor dealer, in most cases you are entitled to a dealer guarantee under the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act, including compensation.
“I cannot stress how important it is to do your due diligence when buying a used vehicle. Purchasers should search the car’s history through ServiceNSW and ensure it has accurate odometer readings, no outstanding finance, and not been written off in a crash.
“For sellers thinking about tampering with odometers, NSW Fair Trading is watching.
“We will not hesitate to prosecute those engaged in those offences, who will have to pay compensations to consumers.”