Car nackered after 4 weeks

lennox1185

I'm after some advice for a friend.

4 weeks ago a friend of mine bought a car from a local 2nd hand dealer.
A few days ago the engine started to misfire, so we tried the usual - spark plugs etc etc. This didn't change anything.

Today we took it to a mechanic who did some tests and found out that one of the cylinders in the engine is dead, so the car is only running on 5 cylinders not 6. The car is a 1999 Vectra V6 and was £800 from the garage.

The cost to fix the engine will be more than the car is worth so basically it is scrap.

I have told my friend to take the car on my trailer back to the dealer and tell him to sort it or be reported to trading standards.

Do we actually have any legs to stand on?

vaio

http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file25486.pdf is worth a read

Inactive

Not sure what you mean by a " cylinder is dead ", you should have taken it straight back to the garage, as you have now changed some engine parts, the garage could argue that the problem was self inflicted.

jd82

I am not a lawyer but I would have thought with a car this age and that cheap you would have to prove that the fault was there when you bought the car. It may be very difficult especialy if the mis fire has only just developed.

Exemplar

Most cars sold sub £1000 are sold as seen by traders. Check his invoice from the dealer, it probably says 'trade sale' on it.

ciano125

I didn't think that made any difference, he is a trader therefore the Sale of Goods Act applies, and an item must be "fit for purpose" among other things. Even at £800 you would expect a car to last for more than 4 weeks. Don't suppose your friend paid on his credit card did he?

motorguy

lennox1185 wrote: »

I'm after some advice for a friend.

4 weeks ago a friend of mine bought a car from a local 2nd hand dealer.
A few days ago the engine started to misfire, so we tried the usual - spark plugs etc etc. This didn't change anything.

Today we took it to a mechanic who did some tests and found out that one of the cylinders in the engine is dead, so the car is only running on 5 cylinders not 6. The car is a 1999 Vectra V6 and was £800 from the garage.

The cost to fix the engine will be more than the car is worth so basically it is scrap.

I have told my friend to take the car on my trailer back to the dealer and tell him to sort it or be reported to trading standards.

Do we actually have any legs to stand on?

You would have to prove the fault was there when the car was sold and on a car of this age, i cant see you having much recourse.