Sold a Dud Help!

4Chickens

My mate has bought an Audi 2.8 R reg for £3100 from a dealership(no warranty). He noticed the coolant reservoir was filled with water rather than coolant so took it to be changed and the mechanic tested the cooling system to find the head gasket is failing. The net result is this will cost my mate approx £1500. Or if done at an Audi dealership then a lot more.
Where does he stand legally and what can he do? Other than break the salesmans' legs.:eek: :mad:

Snaggles

Oh no,that's terrible! I've no idea sorry, but hopefully someone else will know - anyone?? Hope your mate manages to get it sorted.

Floss

Try Trading Standards - usually under your local council. They may be able to advise him.

file_wizzard

Warranty or not the seller would still have a duty under the sale of goods act to ensure that the item was "fit for purpose" , this is often complicated where motor vehicles are concerned as the presence of faults or potential faults can always be argued, how long had he had the vehicle before the fault was identified?

Trading Standards may also be an option, but give the seller an opportunity to resolve first

nomoneytoday

All cars bought from a dealership have a (limited) warranty, and the dealer has to prove the fault wasn't there when sold.

Its the dealers problem, whether he likes it or not. This is regardless of if a warranty was bought or not.

4Chickens

My mate bought the car on Saturday 12 Aug and discovered problem on Tuesday 15 Aug. Does this make a difference?

snisar

A car (or any other goods) has to be fit for purpose, based on the price paid. Based on what your friend has paid, he does have certain legal rights.

More information here: http://www.trafford.gov.uk/cme/live/cme1426.htm