car scam

whitee252

Hi, two weeks ago we bought a car (of private seller),it cost almost 2k and after we had it 8 days the car broke down. Majorly. Th auxiliary belt snapped, head gasket's gone, water pump ceased, clutch's on its way out, nuts and bolts were lose... (lucky to be alive as when it snapped the steering froze). the garage said its all a result of the engine being pushed back too far on the driver's side, looks like its been hit by something. but the body work is clean, there's no marks on the engine and the hpi check came back clear....a mystery. the seller is adamant he knew nothing about it. Anyone has any idea what our legal rights are?? Would appreciate any feedback. (the guy offered to pay35% of the repair cost, which still leaves us with a very expensive car...)

Thanks guys!

Simona

Optimist

You have few rights from a private seller, its more a case of buyer beware.

If the car wasn't as described you can take a civil action out but really its up to you to check that it is mechanically sound.

pendulum

I doubt that all of those things have failed as you claim but if they have then your looking at scrapping it rather than getting it repaired because the repairs would likely exceed or very nearly match the value of the car.

In a private sale it really comes down to you to check and accept the vehicle in its current condition, once you buy it, you buy it with any faults it has and you have no warranty or comeback at all.

It seems like the seller sold the car at just the right time. His 35% offer is more than he has to make and I would take him up on it, try and get 35% of 2k out of him and scrap the car.

BFG_2

Unlucky.

Unless you can prove seller knew of existing damage [engine out of place] you're pretty much goosed.

richardginger

Very unlucky indeed and unfortunately you have no rights. You bought the car as seen and even if it broke down on day one, it is down to you. One of the unfortunate joys of buying a car privately . . .

garthdp

its not a scam

"caveat emptor" let the buyer beware!The onus is on you to check it out Im afraid.The seller did not have to offer 35% of repair costs.That he did, could mean one of two things
1. he knew he was selling a dud and feels a bit guilty or
2. he was unaware of the problems and genuinely feels sorry for you

Either way the onus was on you
Sorry

DCFC79

You cant trust a private seller to tell you the truth about a car,

Heliflyguy

whitee252 wrote: »

Hi, two weeks ago we bought a car (of private seller),it cost almost 2k and after we had it 8 days the car broke down. Majorly. Th auxiliary belt snapped, head gasket's gone, water pump ceased, clutch's on its way out, nuts and bolts were lose... (lucky to be alive as when it snapped the steering froze). the garage said its all a result of the engine being pushed back too far on the driver's side, looks like its been hit by something. but the body work is clean, there's no marks on the engine and the hpi check came back clear....a mystery. the seller is adamant he knew nothing about it. Anyone has any idea what our legal rights are?? Would appreciate any feedback. (the guy offered to pay35% of the repair cost, which still leaves us with a very expensive car...)

Thanks guys!

Simona

Engine pushed back? that sounds a bit odd, is it front wheel drive?
I might be missing something as I am no mechanic but how would any of the engine mounts line up without major body damage, and the steering would be all over the place and how would the garage see that the engine has been pushed back?.
Does the radiator look new that would be a sign that maybe there has been a front end shunt.
As for the head gasket that could go at any time, should not be a major cost, maybe down to the water pump giving up, not a Fiat is it?
The clutch would be the same but a bit more of an expence to fix.
I would get a second opinion from another garage and get some advice on the best options to get it fixed.

Mankysteve

Never buy a car private unless you know what your looking for

maninthestreet

If the engine had been 'pushed back' too far on one side, this would surely make the car drive in a way that would be noticeable?

whitee252

thanks guys. next time I'll buy a car from a garage......_pale_