Leicester,UK- A car dealer has been prosecuted after selling a faulty vehicle that failed to survive the journey home with its new owner.The vehicle, which was sold by SMS Motors Ltd, of Aylestone Road, Leicester, UK, had such severe damage to its braking pipe that it could not be repaired without replacing the entire braking system.

Unfortunately for the new owner, during the drive back home to Cambridge, the car’s brakes failed. The driver was forced to stop the car with the handbrake, barely missing a large number of other cars which had to brake suddenly to avoid hitting it.

At civil court on Tuesday, SMS Motors Ltd was sentenced a £4,000 fine after pleading guilty to selling an un-roadworthy car. Leicester City Council, which brought the prosecution, was also given £2,000 in costs.

Councillor Sarah Russell, assistant mayor for neighborhood services, commented on the case: “People buying used cars from dealers need to have the confidence that those vehicles are up to at least a basic standard of safety and road-worthiness, which sadly wasn’t the case in this instance. People purchasing cars deserve better and I’d urge all car dealers in the city to be aware of the OFT advice and ensure they heed it.”