MALFUNCTIONING motors bought from dodgy dealers are swerving the scrapheap and helping the next generation of mechanics to sharpen their skills.
Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service is donating cars bought as part of an unroadworthy vehicle ‘mystery shopper’ exercise to Warwickshire College motor vehicle students.
Trading Standards officers target dealers who sell unroadworthy vehicles by buying suspect cars which are then checked by an expert vehicle examiner.
The cars would ordinarily be sent for scrap, until officers found out about a new initiative by WCG – formerly Warwickshire College Group – for its motor vehicle course.
The college group issued a call for unwanted old cars earlier this year, as students require a regular turnover of vehicles to practice their maintenance skills and boost their mechanical knowledge.
Trading Standards is now providing WCG with a range of cars through the academic year.
WCG Motor Vehicle Instructor and Technician Josh Saul said they were pleased to be able to find a use for the cars, which would otherwise have been scrapped.
He said: “We have 181 students enrolled on our Motor Vehicles courses, and sourcing vehicles can sometimes prove challenging.
“Since the initiative began, we have received almost 20 vehicles, including two convertibles, two automatics and a smart car – it’s great to have had such a variety.
“We hope the association with Trading Standards Services will prove a tremendous success, exposing our students to a range of mechanical challenges.”
Warwickshire County Council Strategic Director for Communities Mark Ryder said: “I’m delighted that these cars, which would have been scrapped, are now supporting students’ learning and skills development, and ultimately helping them gain employment.”
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandardsdvice for advice about buying a car.