8:37 am, August 21, 2026
A dodgy car dealer has been ordered to cough up £4,000 after he admitted to misleading customers.
Benjamin Meacham, 35, denied customers refunds on faulty cars and failed to accurately describe vehicles in adverts, via his company Meacham’s Car Centre in Westbury.
The 35-year-old and his firm were subject to multiple complaints to Trading Standards, sparking an investigation and eventual prosecution.
Earlier this week (Aug 18) he appeared at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to three offences relating to the sale of motor vehicles.
The court heard that in March 2025, a Westbury resident paid £2,200 for a Ford Ka after seeing it advertised on social media.
During a test drive, the car’s odometer was flashing, but Meacham assured the customer the problem would be fixed and the sale went ahead.
Following the completion of the deal, the Ford developed further faults, which remained unresolved, despite the being returned to Meachams Car Centre for repair.
When the customer attempted to reject the car and obtain a refund, their requests were refused. The Ford later became a non-runner.
Elsewhere, in June 2025 a customer from Melksham bought a Fiat 500L from Meacham for £1,850.
After buying the car, the customer discovered it had previously been classified as a Category S insurance write-off – something that not had been disclosed to the customer.
Despite this, the buyer was still told that Meacham could not provide a refund or take the vehicle back and a written request for a refund later went unanswered.
After hearing all the evidence, Magistrates handed Meacham a £1,400 fine and ordered him to pay £980 in prosecution costs, £1,060 in compensation and a £560 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the sentencing, Paul Sample, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for public protection, said: ‘When purchasing a vehicle from a trader, consumers have clear rights and should be able to make informed decisions based on accurate information about the vehicle they are buying.
‘In this case, one customer was sold a vehicle that developed significant faults and was denied a refund, while another was not told that the vehicle they purchased had previously been classed as a Category S write-off.
‘Motor traders must ensure vehicles are accurately described and must respect consumers’ statutory rights when faults arise.
‘We are committed to protecting consumers and ensuring businesses comply with their legal obligations. We will continue to investigate and take action against traders who engage in unfair trading practices.’
Meacham’s Car Centre is now showing as being ‘permanently closed’ on Google.