Used car dealer jailed for "brazen" rip-off deals

The boss of Nottinghamshire used car dealership Motor Value funded a lavish lifestyle from deceiving people into buying cars that were unfit for purpose.

Samuel Smith had "minimal repairs" done on vehicles to be able to sell them for large profits, made bogus claims that cars had RAC warranties, and became aggressive with customers who complained, Nottingham Crown Court was told.

The 34-year-old married father of one "lived the high life" off the profits, including buying a Ferrari and paying for expensive holidays.

After an investigation began, the operation discovered more than £1.1 million in a Lloyds bank account, prosecutor Simon Eckersley told the court.

Smith remains subject to an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs.

Eckersley outlined several cases which occurred at Motor Value in Newark between 2018 and 2020 where buyers had put down deposits, or paid outright, for cars that turned out to be "not as advertised, or faulty". 

He explained that Smith was clearly prepared to sell cars which had been written-off, or which were faulty, due to his "greed"

Smith, of Great North Road, North Muskham, Newark, admitted conspiracy to defraud and was jailed for 32 months by Judge Stuart Rafferty KC.

The Notts Post reports that during sentencing, the judge told him: "You set out with a clear purpose – to make as much money as you could. You were prepared to sell written-off vehicles, passing them off as shiny and new, and that was a lie.

"You were so brazen you sold one written-off car twice and when people had the temerity to complain to you, you responded with aggression and for one simple reason – greed."

Judge Rafferty said Smith had refused to co-operate with HMRC when he was exposed, and he showed "staggering arrogance" and not "a flicker of remorse".

Smith’s lawyer Michelle Clarke said her client had learned some "very, very hard lessons", and had even attempted to take his own life.

"The man that was deceiving these people is not the man who is now standing in the dock.," Clarke said.