Car dealer convicted following CCPC investigation
June 18, 2025
Adrian Hardiman, a car dealer of Loughglynn, Co. Roscommon, has been convicted of misleading consumers about the history of second-hand cars.
In a ruling at Ballaghdereen District Court on Friday last, 13 June, Mr. Hardiman was sentenced to 80 hours of community service in lieu of three months’ imprisonment by Judge Deirdre Gearty. The defendant was also ordered to pay the CCPC’s costs of €8,241 within the next five months.
The CCPC brought a case against Mr. Hardiman following an investigation which established that Mr. Hardiman gave false information to consumers about the mileage of cars advertised for sale. The investigation was opened following complaints to the CCPC’s helpline in 2020.
Judge Gearty had delayed sentencing when the matter came before the Court on 8 November 2024 and directed that a Probation and Welfare Report be obtained in respect of Mr. Hardiman. Judge Gearty also requested victim impact statements from the three victims who had been given false information about the mileage of the cars they had bought. On that day, the Court heard that the defendant had also paid the victims €5,700 in compensation.
Patrick Kenny, Member of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission said:
“The sentence imposed by the court reinforces that providing false information to consumers is a serious matter and is an offence. The impact statements from the victims in this case show clearly the potential dangers associated with misleading consumers. Consumers should always be able to rely on accurate information from car traders on a car’s history and condition. Anything less can be considered a breach of consumer protection law.
“We will continue to monitor the motor vehicle sector and take enforcement action against traders found to be misleading consumers. We encourage any consumer who believes that they have been misled by a motor trader, or indeed any trader, to contact our consumer helpline on (01) 402 5555 or email us at ask@ccpc.ie.”
It is illegal for traders to give false or misleading information about the history of a car. The CCPC strongly recommends that motor traders take all reasonable steps to ensure a car is safe and roadworthy, including completing a car history check, before making a car available for sale to a consumer.
While the law sets out the rules for traders, consumers should also take a proactive approach when buying a car and use the CCPC’s checklist to ensure they are getting what they pay for by visiting ccpc.ie/consumers/cars/buying. The CCPC also has a printable car buyers checklist to help in comparing cars.
The CCPC also recently published a report advocating for an online portal that would grant second-hand car buyers free access to essential car history information, including write-off status and mileage readings. For more information, visit the CCPC’s report calling for public access to used-car histories.
Consumers who believe they have been misled by a trader can make a report to the CCPC helpline on (01) 402 5555 or use the online contact form on CCPC.ie.
Return to News