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Ripped off on 2nd hand car - can I do anything?
Hi,
I'm hoping that you can help.
We lent my son £850 last week to buy a car. He'd viewed it with his friend, and they both know a fair bit about cars and were happy that it was ok. So Thursday of last week my dp took him to pick it up. Everyone was happy.
On Sunday (3 days later!) my son got in the car and it wouldn't go into 2nd gear. We told him not to panic, and arranged for it to go into the garage we use. My dp has just spoken to the garage. The gear box is completely shot, and there are spanner marks on it where it has been tightened up. Those that are as cynical as I am would think maybe so that the car could be sold so the original seller would not have to replace the gearbox!!
To recon the gearbox is going to cost £450-500, although the mechanic is looking around for cheaper.
My question is, do we have any legal comeback against the seller? Less than a week after purchasing the car it is undriveable.
Thanks,
Claire
I'm hoping that you can help.
We lent my son £850 last week to buy a car. He'd viewed it with his friend, and they both know a fair bit about cars and were happy that it was ok. So Thursday of last week my dp took him to pick it up. Everyone was happy.
On Sunday (3 days later!) my son got in the car and it wouldn't go into 2nd gear. We told him not to panic, and arranged for it to go into the garage we use. My dp has just spoken to the garage. The gear box is completely shot, and there are spanner marks on it where it has been tightened up. Those that are as cynical as I am would think maybe so that the car could be sold so the original seller would not have to replace the gearbox!!
To recon the gearbox is going to cost £450-500, although the mechanic is looking around for cheaper.
My question is, do we have any legal comeback against the seller? Less than a week after purchasing the car it is undriveable.
Thanks,
Claire
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Comments
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I presume it was a private sale? did they make any specific representations about the car?Remember the time he ate my goldfish? And you lied and said I never had goldfish. Then why did I have the bowl Bart? Why did I have the bowl?0
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Yes it was a private, and they weren't told about any problems.
I'm so cross!0 -
Did he drive it before the sale?0
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Did he sign a receipt stating that he had bought it "as seen"? If he did, then I think he is probably stuffed, sadly. It is very hard to get redress from a private seller, which is why people are often prepared to pay more to buy through a dealer. Caveat emptor, and all that.I used to think that good grammar is important, but now I know that good wine is importanter.0
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Yes, both him and his friend.0
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I would suggest he could go to the seller to ask him whether he is prepared to do anything?
it's unlikely to get anywhere though. If it's nearby, he could always check whether the seller is selling more than one vehicle and effectively trading?Remember the time he ate my goldfish? And you lied and said I never had goldfish. Then why did I have the bowl Bart? Why did I have the bowl?0 -
Caveat Emptor. The seller is only obliged to give information about a defect if asked specifically about it. They are not obliged to volunteer the information. The only exception to this is if there is a fault which makes the car dangerous such as completely shot brakes, steering rack or serious corrosion around a safety critical area. Even then, you'd have to go through civil court to get your money back.
I would find out the price of a gearbox from a scrappies, approach the seller and ask them to go halves with the cost. Unfortunately, if they tell you to sod off, there's not a lot you can do but someone with their moral compass pointing in the right direction may just pony up.0 -
theres really nothing you can do, as they test drove it they should have noticed any faults with the gear box, its one of those things, buyer bewareSealed pot challenger # 10
1v100 £15/3000 -
my local scrappy sell gearboxes for 100
Nothing he can do, not sure what 'spanner marks' are0 -
get your son to have al look at -
http://www.1stchoice.co.uk/
for car spares. he just puts in the car model and part he is after and breakers yard will email him back with the cost inc courier delivery to your garage. I fear if you approach the seller it may turn out to be a waste of time.0
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