Two Dublin car dealers convicted of misleading customers

Two Dublin car dealers, Brian Healy and Andrius Miliauskas, have been found guilty of misleading customers about the history of second-hand cars, according to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). The two dealers, who operate Lucan Auto Sales, pleaded guilty to various charges. Healy admitted to four counts, while Miliauskas pleaded guilty to six.

In court, Judge Anthony Halpin sentenced Miliauskas to four months in prison, while Healy received a fine of €1,500 and was ordered to pay €3,567 in costs to the CCPC and €1,994 in compensation to a consumer. The allegations stem from two specific cases involving crashed cars that were resold to unsuspecting buyers without disclosing their crash history.

In one instance, a 161 Ford Focus crashed in March 2023 was sold as salvage and then to a consumer for €11,500, despite its crash history. In another case, a 142 Audi A5 crashed in the UK in 2017 was sold by Lucan Auto Sales for €14,000 in June 2024, again without revealing its crash history. The CCPC, which brought the prosecutions, stated that car traders have a legal obligation to provide accurate information about a vehicle's history and condition.

If a car were to break down, it could put not only the driver but also other road users in danger. The CCPC is urging for free car history information to be shared with consumers, similar to practices in other countries, to help them make informed decisions and ensure they receive value for money and a safe vehicle. Consumers who believe they have been misled by motor traders are encouraged to contact the CCPC helpline or visit their website.