Mezin Hadad banned from the Queensland motor industry for life

• A Gold Coast motor dealer has been permanently disqualified from holding a licence.
• The dealer and his company were ordered to pay more than $127,000 in fines and compensation.
• Consumers are encouraged to report unlawful practices in the motor industry.

Mezin Hadad and his company Best Buy Auto Group Pty Ltd have been permanently banned from working in the motor industry and ordered to pay a total of more than $127,000 in fines and compensation after the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) took disciplinary action against them in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).

On 31 December 2023 the QCAT found Mr Hadad unsuitable to hold a licence after an OFT investigation established Hadad and his company had committed numerous breaches of the Motor Dealers Chattel and Auctioneers Act 2014 and Australian Consumer Law (Qld).

The QCAT supported OFT’s findings that Mr Hadad had committed a long list of offences ranging from providing false or misleading information to consumers, harassment and coercion, and failing to repair consumers faulty second-hand vehicles under warranty, through to failing to provide consumers important documents such as contracts, clear title documentation and statement of ownership.

Mezin Hadad was fined $10,000 and ordered to pay $67,607.54 to affected consumers. His company Best Buy Auto Group Pty Ltd was fined $50,000.

This QCAT action was not the only enforcement action the OFT has taken in relation to this trader, having previously issued a total of 10 infringement notices (fines) to Mezin Hadad and his company for other motor dealing issues.

Consumers are encouraged to report unlawful practices in the motor industry to the OFT by lodging a complaint at www.qld.gov.au/fairtrading or by calling 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

Quotes attributable to the Fair Trading Commissioner Victoria Thomson:

“We welcome this outcome and want to thank consumers for coming forward with evidence to support this action.

“This outcome should serve as a warning to motor dealers that if they do the wrong thing by consumers, they can lose their licence and their livelihood.

“Motor dealers are expected to know and meet their legal obligations as the laws exist to protect consumers and honest traders.”