Consumer Protection WA issues second warning about Welshpool dealership Ventura Autos over faulty cars

Another warning has been issued about WA’s most complained-about car dealership after the business began trading under a different name.

Consumer Protection WA issued the warning on Thursday about Welshpool car dealership Ventura Autos, that have begun trading under other names including Car Central.

Ventura Autos/Car Central’s directors James Jonathan Mentiplay and Clancy Tamlyn Mentiplay aka Clancy Arnott continued to sell unroadworthy cars after the first warning was issued in July this year.

Back in July, it was revealed the business had garnered 136 complaints since 2016, since then Consumer Protection has received five more complaints and issued 10 defect notices.

This brings the total complaints to 141 and defect notices to 53.

The 10 recent defect notices related to a visit by Consumer Protection where it found cars with cracked windscreens, non-compliant tyres and seatbelt issues.

Car Central currently has 260 cars advertised for sale on the Autotrader website and hundreds on Gumtree.

Back in July, a 34-year-old mother of three — who did not wish to be named — became a victim of the dodgy dealership when she bought a car with a defective automatic transmission.

“We’d be driving at 100km/h along Tonkin Highway and the car would just switch into first gear,” she said.

“It’s been a nightmare. Getting into the car I would question whether today was the day that something would happen.”

Despite repeat visits to the dealership, the woman was never refunded and had to take out a loan for a new car.

“It should be noted the majority of complaints are made about trivial concerns such as a vehicle not having a jack provided or a radio not working,” Mr Mentiplay said back in July.

Consumer Protection Commissioner Trish Blake has concerns Ventura Autos continues to sell unroadworthy vehicles, is now using different trading names and refuses to engage with consumers to provide suitable remedies.

“After six compliance visits and a public warning, we would have expected Ventura Autos to have changed their business practices,” Ms Blake said.

“Instead, it appears this business is now misleading consumers by using different names, including on social media, to sell unroadworthy vehicles.

“My message to car buyers is to please be very careful and exercise caution if thinking about buying a used car in person or online from Ventura Autos or other names such as Car Central.”

People having issues with Ventura Autos or Car Central can lodge a complaint with Consumer Protection by emailing consumer@dmirs.wa.gov.au or calling 1300 30 40 54.