Used car buying rights?

Treadway1

Hi all,

Wondered if anyone could give me any practical knowledge of the legal rights you have when buying a used car from an independent car dealer, by which I mean its a small car lot and not a main dealer franchise.

Basically, I bought a Volvo C70 just over three months ago which was advertised as a 2.4 litre Turbo and paid £2750 for it which was slightly over the market price but I didnt mind as cosmetically it looked a minter. Anyway, Ive recently given the car to a friend who owns a garage, as the brakes needed changing and the first (Minor) problem I had is that I wasnt given the locking wheelnut key by the dealer when I bought it and having spoken to him about it, he never had it either. Thats was fair enough, but then my friend came back and told me that the car wasnt actually a Turbo as described and that it was only a standard 2.4 litre. When I first drove the car, I did notice it wasnt as fast as I thought it might be but simply put it down to the fact that it was (or I believed it was) a Low Pressure Turbo as alot of Volvos are.

Add to this the fact that there are other problems with fuel regulator sensors and Im obviously not very happy. Ive spoken to the dealer again this afternoon and explained all this and he's stated that he will speak with the manager and get back to me in the morning. The thing is that since that phone call, Ive had yet another call from my friend who's has told me that one of his mechanics (who happens to be S**t-hot on Volvos) has said it appears that the mileage has been tampered with and that he believes the car has done a hell of a lot more miles than its currently showing.

So my question is, where do I stand legally with regards to returning the car and getting all my money back? Before I found out about the mileage problem, I would have been happy to accept a bit of money back but since then Im now a bit concerned with what other problems the car might be hiding and would much prefer to give it back.

Am I legally entitled to demand my money back?

Thanks for any advice anyone can give.

Peter

harveybobbles

Well, first of all you need some concrete evidence that the mileage is incorrect. Not just because some bloke sais so lol.
Contact any Volvo service dept and they will tell you the dates and mileages of when it has visited any Volvo dealership.

Do a full hpi check and enter the mileage it is showing today. If this throws up a descrepecny then ask the NMR to investiate it (at a cost, obviously...)

As for the engine, I'd be quite miffed if I bought it and it didnt have a turbo. Even Volvo' LPT's are quite flirty! So I'm surprised you diodnt mention it at the time of purchase.

Under the SOGA you should be ok, as you were sold it as a 2.4T when it is just a 2.4.

Also, how do you have it insured? As a 2.4T or a 2.4...?

Treadway1

Thanks for the reply

I thought I might get a bit of stick about not realising it had no turbo when test driving!!! The trouble is that Id never driven a Volvo before but having done loads of research on them before buying I was of the impression that even with a turbo, they werent particularly quick and that they were more of a cruiser than a flat out speed freak so stupidly assumed that the lack of acceleration was down to that.

As for my insurance though, I checked it today and they only have it down as a standard 2.4 non turbo which is good in some ways but bad in others I guess. The V5 also shows it as a non turbo. I know, I know, I should have realised long ago then but I just took it as read that it was a turbo!

If Im honest, Ill probably just mention the mileage thing as an "Oh and another thing" argument when fighting my case with the dealer instead of making it the main point.

But you think that it simply being described as a 2.4T when it isnt should be enough then?

Thanks again

harveybobbles

Well if they advertised it as a 2.4T then yes, you could have a good claim for full refund or some money back. But then armed with concrete evidence about the mileage is handy to throw at them when they dont want to play ball

nomoneytoday

Did you notice the turbo lag and big turbo in the engine bay ?

Treadway1

nomoneytoday wrote: »

Did you notice the turbo lag and big turbo in the engine bay ?

Yeh, yeh, I know..... You live and learn though I guess!

bigbulldog

You can also check the cars mileage via http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_10020539 via checking mot history to check all you need is the VT20 test certificate or document reference number from the V5C registration certificate.

Hope this helps.

vaio

How did they advertise it?

Web?

Newspaper?

You got hard copy?

rev_henry

bigbulldog wrote: »

You can also check the cars mileage via http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_10020539 via checking mot history to check all you need is the VT20 test certificate or document reference number from the V5C registration certificate.

Hope this helps.

Yeah do this. No need to spend money on an HPI check or NMR etc. I'm sure trading standards would take a dim view of this. Misrepresentation AND clocking of cars. Give them a call and see what they say.

Sandrock

The trouble with many Volvos is that there are simply so many models and engines it can be very difficult to realise which one you've got if you're a simple trader!

BTW. The turbo Volvos can be pretty fast. I've had quite a few T5 models (225-250bhp) and they're great for a huge surge of power when overtaking. :j