MRS X's STORY - and her County Court victory

This lady's story is even worse than ours - it left her with no car at all, she had given her old car in part-exchange and borrowed the money, which she is still paying back.

I bought a £595 car from Excel Motors in September 2006, which they assured me was 'perfectly safe to drive'. After filling the car with petrol a couple of days later I smelt a very strong smell of petrol coming from inside the car. Upon taking the car to a reputable car mechanic I was informed that the car was of an unroadworthy condition, to such an extent that it was classed as 'unsafe' and 'extremely dangerous to drive'. The car had an unacceptable number of faults, the most serious being an extremely corroded and leaking petrol tank.  When I reported these findings to Excel Motors Christopher Christoforou said "What do you expect from a £500 vehicle"? I stated that I would like a full refund - after which Mr Christoforou just put the phone down.

I contacted the Trading Standards Authority, who told me to write to Excel Motors stating I was rejecting the vehicle under the 'Sale of Goods Act 1979" and that I would like a full refund. Needless to say, all my correspondence with Excel Motors was returned unopened!

The Police Investigations Unit was also involved in the case and was seizing vehicles for inspection, plus there were also investigations into other legal matters.

Trading Standards informed me Excel Motors was also trading under other names such as: Clayton Car Sales, Excel Scooters and Scooter's Garage.  Also the proprietor of the company changed to Eileen Hayes when it suited them.

I applied to the County Court for a Judgement, which was ordered in August 2007. Again, it came as no surprise that Excel Motors ignored this order. I proceeded with a Warrant of Execution which was also granted to allow the bailiffs to seize goods. Again, Excel Motors decided to play games and made an application to the court to set Judgement aside. Upon attending this court hearing I met the couple who set up this website - needless to say no-one from Excel Motors turned up at court!!! The District Judge at Dewsbury County Court ordered the bailiffs to seize two vehicles from Excel Motors to sell at auction.

Excel Motors then declared these two seized vehicles don't belong to them, and that they apparently belong to a Paul Frost of Cleckheaton Gearbox & Clutch Centre and the cars were being sold at Excel Motors on Paul Frost's behalf. Paul Frost produced registration documents and purchase invoices for both vehicles in his name.  After making further investigations, we believe these documents to be false.

Another Court hearing took place in May - when Excel Motors, Paul Frost, and both claiming parties were summoned to attend. (See the OUR STORY page of this site).

WE ARE DETERMINED THAT JUSTICE WILL BE DONE AND I ADVISE ANYONE WANTING TO BUY A USED CAR - DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM THESE COWBOYS!!!