A CIRENCESTER vehicle trader has been hit with a huge court bill after selling a van with an inaccurate mileage.
John Geddes, aged 39, of Clappen Close, Cirencester, sold a Peugeot Boxer with a mileage nearly four times higher than what was advertised during the sale.
Geddes, a former director of Cotswold Vans Limited near Malmesbury, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Friday, June 26.
He was fined £999 and ordered to pay costs of £1,117.46 and a victim surcharge of £399 - meaning he must pay a total of £2,515.
For advice on buying vehicles, visit this Citizens Advice page: tinyurl.com/y6dxwfyw
To find a trader that has been vetted and approved by Trading Standards, visit buywithconfidence.gov.uk
The Peugeot Boxer was advertised and sold to a customer for £12,950 with a recorded mileage of 42,862 miles.
Shortly after paying a deposit on the vehicle, the customer became concerned about the accuracy of the mileage.
An HPI check identified a discrepancy, and when this was raised with Geddes before completion of the sale, he reassured the customer the mileage was genuine to the best of his knowledge.
After the purchase, further investigations were carried out by the customer and a Peugeot dealership.
Diagnostic checks revealed the vehicle’s actual mileage to be approximately 162,528 miles - almost four times higher than the figure that had been advertised and relied upon during the sale.
Additional issues were also identified, including mechanical concerns linked to the vehicle’s emissions system.
The customer exercised their short-term right to reject the vehicle under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 as the goods were not as described.
However, the trader failed to resolve the matter.
As a result, the customer pursued the issue through the Small Claims Court and successfully obtained a County Court Judgment against Cotswold Vans Ltd.
Subsequent checks of Companies House records revealed that both directors of Cotswold Vans Ltd had resigned in February 2026, prior to the date of the vehicle sale.
This left the company without any registered directors at the time of trading, which is contrary to legal requirements under the Companies Act 2006.
In practical terms, this situation made enforcement of the CCJ ineffective.
With no active directors and no apparent responsible officers managing the company, there was no viable route to secure payment, leaving the judgment effectively unenforceable.
On receipt of the court summons, issued by Wiltshire Council’s Trading Standards officers, Geddes made contact with the customer to arrange collection of the van and agree a refund.
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Paul Sample, cabinet member for public protection at Wiltshire Council, said: “Buying a vehicle is one of the biggest purchases many people make, and consumers have the right to expect that the information provided by a trader is accurate and trustworthy.
“In this case, a vehicle was sold with a mileage reading that was significantly lower than its true mileage, despite concerns being raised before the sale was completed.
“Mileage is a key factor in determining both the value and condition of a vehicle, and misleading consumers about it can have serious financial consequences.
“This case demonstrates our commitment to protecting consumers and supporting honest businesses.
“We will continue to take action where traders fail to meet their legal responsibilities and breach consumer protection laws.”
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