Car dealer caught flogging second-hand motor with rat’s nest under the bonnet

A SECOND-hand car for sale was found to be un­rodent-worthy, with a rat’s nest under the bonnet.

The dodgy motor was spotted by trading standards officials carrying out checks on used car dealers.

When they lifted the bonnet on the £1,895 car, they found the nest.

Closer inspection revealed that the rodents had eaten the bonnet lining and chewed through a coolant tube.

Also, a weed was growing through the wheel arch.

The discovery was made during safety and other checks in west Berkshire.

The targeted premises were those that had generated the most complaints over the past 12 months.

In all a dozen dealers were visited, with mileage and descriptions of 51 vehicles checked and 20 others examined by independent engineers.

Trading standards said: “Our officers ensure all traders are complying with legislation which provides a level playing field for business.

“Most vehicles and premises were found to be compliant with just a few areas where we advised the business owners of some areas they need to work on.”