small claims court

jhow

Hi all my friend brought a car from a dealer without a business premises for £650.00, it went wrong about 1 week after she got it with all sorts of things inc the gearbox., she took it to a local garage where the mechanic reconised the car, it had belonged to an old couple he knew well.He rang the couple who said they had sold it for scrap for £100. Obvoisly the dealer brought it, got it going and sold it to my frend 8 weeks later. I wonder if it would be worth persuing it in the small claims court, she is worried about court fees, she is not at all rich. Any advice for her? thank you, Joanne

anewman

It's worth a try (can't say there's any guarantees). If you can get those details in writing from the old couple clearly stating the car's make, model, and reg number etc - then that would hopefully be a great deal of help in court as it goes to show the true condition of the car. It's lucky you found a garage that recognised the car. I wonder if there's some other sort of legal issue with the fact he has acquired a car intended for scrap and sold it as a roadworthy car.

Also I believe there is assistance available with court costs for people on low or no income but I don't know the details of this unfortunately.

He probably put thick oil in the gearbox to quieten it down but the impending failure would be unavoidable.

Takoda

What does someone really expect if they buy a car for £650? A perfectly working car or a heap that needs some work? Sorry and all that but you get what you pay for with cars - usually.

anewman

Takoda wrote: »

What does someone really expect if they buy a car for £650? A perfectly working car or a heap that needs some work? Sorry and all that but you get what you pay for with cars - usually.

Agree to some extent, although you can often get perfectly good working cars for that sort of price that need little work and only snobs would think any different :money:. Clearly in this instance the car was intended to be scrapped but was instead sold on by an unscrupulous seller who clearly has no regard for people who purchase cars from him.

Rolandtheroadie

The couple that sold the car done just that, sold the car. It is then up to the new owner to decide what they do with it. The elderly couple may have been under the impression that it was going to be scrapped, but that means nothing. If it was definately going to be scrapped the couple would have documentation from the scrap yard they took it to.

anewman

scotsman4th wrote: »

The couple that sold the car done just that, sold the car. It is then up to the new owner to decide what they do with it. The elderly couple may have been under the impression that it was going to be scrapped, but that means nothing. If it was definately going to be scrapped the couple would have documentation from the scrap yard they took it to.

Yeah it was probably one of those adverts tied to a lamp post with a mobile number they used rather than an official registered disposal place.

Armengar

Is there a reason why you didnt try and get the seller to fix it? Before small claims you usually give them a chance to make it fit for purpose under sale of goods.

hethmar

Did he give any sort of guarantee with it?

Get your friend to ring local Trading Standards who will advise them on this. If there have been previous complaints about the same guy, then they will be geared up to prosecute him themselves.

£650 is a decent amount of money to a lot of people. Having said that, your mate should have spent a bit more time looking round. I sold my 15 year old VW Golf for £300 with 80k on the clock, fsh and only two owners - still see the chap driving it around now after 2 more years of use.

Bowdyjan18

Takoda wrote: »

What does someone really expect if they buy a car for £650? A perfectly working car or a heap that needs some work? Sorry and all that but you get what you pay for with cars - usually.

Shut up

Loads of prefectley good cars out there for even less

mikey72

Takoda wrote: »

What does someone really expect if they buy a car for £650? A perfectly working car or a heap that needs some work? Sorry and all that but you get what you pay for with cars - usually.

If that's what you expect I've got the perect car for you, £500, bring a trailer.
The replacement I bought for £475 has run perfectly though, for over a year, and sailed through the MOT. But you can't have that one unless you offer me £1500.
But to the OP, if he's a dealer, trading standards should advise you.