• Car Dealer Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
No Result
View All Result

Car dealers warned Police and Trading Standards mystery shopping in attempt to catch retailers pushing lockdown rules

One dealer group has been mystery shopped 10 times by authorities looking to catch motor trade out

James Baggott by James Baggott
January 13, 2021
1
Home News

Car dealers are being warned authorities are attempting to catch out Covid rule breakers with a series of clandestine mystery shops across the country.

Trading Standards, the police and Health and Safety Executive have all been reported to have mystery shopped car dealers to ensure they are following the rules.

Marshall Motor Group boss Daksh Gupta revealed the crackdowns were happening ‘everywhere’ and that he’s dealt with 10 since the last lockdown.

Independent dealers are also reporting ‘strange phone calls’ from apparent customers asking them to push the rules for a sale or test drive.

Gupta said: ‘As a business we have been rigorous and I am proud to say that we have adhered to all the rules laid down by the government 100 per cent.

‘We have been mystery shopped no fewer than 10 times since the last lockdown by the police, Trading Standards and the Health and Safety Executive and passed on all 10 occasions. 

‘Our recent mystery shops, which were at our VW operations in Essex, the police and the Health and Safety Executive commented that we were doing nothing wrong offering click and collect services, but the key priority is that no one must enter the showroom under any circumstances.’

Gupta said it is vital the industry focuses on being ‘whiter than white’ and that he had warned all his staff that anyone who breaks the rules will face disciplinary action.

Car Dealer has contacted the Trading Standards press office for comment, but they have not responded.

Strange calls

Chairman of the Independent Motor Dealers Association, Umesh Samani, reported that many of its members had been fielding unusual phone calls which they think are attempts to catch them out.

He said: ‘Many dealers including me have had ‘strange’ calls with customers pushing to visit to see cars.

‘I’ve had three or four from withheld numbers asking if they could sneak down if I put the car round the back or something similar. 

‘They’re quite pushy. I am not sure if these were traps or genuine buyers who really wanted to look before committing, but my reply has always been a very strong “sorry we’re closed” for physical sales.

‘Bizarrely they do not want to listen about click and collect or delivery options and if they were genuine buyers they would listen then make a decision if they were happy to proceed or not.’

  • What are car dealers allowed to do during lockdown 3?
  • Car dealers are allowed to offer click and collect services in lockdown 3

Car Dealer has heard unconfirmed reports of some dealers that are attempting to push the rules. One group is even reported to have been fined, but those rumours are unsubstantiated at this time.

Chris Wiseman, managing director of Wessex Garages, said he has also heard of some dealers flouting the rules and thinks the damage to reputation will be disastrous for those that do.

He told Car Dealer: ‘We are currently operating from three hubs on a click and collect basis only with every enquiry taken by our online navigator team remotely. 

‘Four showrooms are completely closed except for the aftersales teams. Everyone is clear that no conversations are to take place in a showroom or on site and under no circumstances are we to carry out demonstrations. 

‘I am hearing of businesses trying to circumnavigate the rules which I find amazing. The damage to the reputation of the company cannot be quantified if caught. 

‘So far we have not been approached by Trading Standards albeit if they have been on site enquiring they would have been asked to leave and contact us online.’

Car dealers are allowed to offer sales via a click and collect service where the whole deal has been facilitated online. Test drives should not be offered and showrooms must be closed.

  • Join our breaking news WhatsApp group – Click here to join now
  • Car Dealer Podcast – listen to the latest episode here
  • Car Dealer Top 100 – The most profitable car dealers in the UK here

Comments 1

  1. drtobin drtobin says:
    2 weeks ago

    Would that not be entrapment (the act of government agents or officials that induces a person to commit a crime he or she is not previously disposed to commit).

Please login to join discussion
Previous Post

Lockdown demand pushes up average salvage values

Next Post

Car salesman jailed for nine months over homophobic attack

Related Posts

Stratstone reveals multi-million-pound plans for redevelopment of BMW sites in Derby and Hull
News

Stratstone reveals multi-million-pound plans for redevelopment of BMW sites in Derby and Hull

January 26, 2021
News

Lamborghini London celebrates delivery of two super-rare Sian hypercars

January 26, 2021
Facebook research shows UK consumers are more prepared to buy online
News

Facebook research shows UK consumers are more prepared to buy online

January 26, 2021
News

Used car market sales are ‘exceeding expectations’ so far in January, new data reveals

January 26, 2021
Honda motorbike dealer signs up for fight against Covid as it becomes temporary vaccination hub
News

Honda motorbike dealer signs up for fight against Covid as it becomes temporary vaccination hub

January 26, 2021
Hyundai creates robot for automated customer services in dealer showrooms
News

Hyundai creates robot for automated customer services in dealer showrooms

January 26, 2021

Want to receive the latest news?

Sign up to the Car Dealer daily news briefing for the latest news and advice during these unprecedented times.

Subscribe Now
Video: How do you buy a used car online and get it delivered to your house? We put online car dealer Carzam to the test
Car Dealer Live

Video: How do you buy a used car online and get it delivered to your house? We put online car dealer Carzam to the test

January 23, 2021
Used Car Awards Shortlist: Find out who made it through mystery shopping and are now in running for our gongs
News

Used Car Awards Shortlist: Find out who made it through mystery shopping and are now in running for our gongs

January 6, 2021
Car Dealer Top 100 – The list in full of the most profitable car dealers in the UK
Car Dealer Top 100

Car Dealer Top 100 – The list in full of the most profitable car dealers in the UK

January 20, 2021
Car Dealer Live: Data shows there are buyers out there and they want new cars via click and collect, say What Car? team
Car Dealer Live

Car Dealer Live: Data shows there are buyers out there and they want new cars via click and collect, say What Car? team

January 20, 2021
Stellantis: What is it? Which brands does it have? And what does it mean for customers and dealers?
News

Stellantis: What is it? Which brands does it have? And what does it mean for customers and dealers?

January 26, 2021
Become a Car Dealer Plus member and get more out of this website including free legal advice
News

Become a Car Dealer Plus member and get more out of this website including free legal advice

January 15, 2021
Car Dealer Live: Top tips for car dealers to keep business and spirits high during national lockdown
Car Dealer Live

Car Dealer Live: Top tips for car dealers to keep business and spirits high during national lockdown

January 23, 2021
Car Dealer Power

The best car dealer suppliers named in the Car Dealer Power Awards 2020

November 26, 2020
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
Call us: 020 8125 3880

© 2020 Blackball Media

No Result
View All Result
  • Car Dealer Plus
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100

© 2020 Blackball Media

Log In
Register
Register
Server C