Sold a car, now the new keeper wants to return it...

Daisymoocow

Hi all, posting this on behalf of my very silly and naive brother, and hoping you could all help.

My brother recently sold a car. It was advertised for sale and a chap came round to see it last week. He took it out for a test drive and looked around it and said he would buy it, but didnt have the cash until the end of the month. My brother kindly said that he would keep the car for him and wait until the end of the month for the cash. Today, the chap has returned to purchase the car, with the £700 asking price. The new keeper didnt want to take it out again, as was satisfied after the last test drive. My brother and the new keeper filled out the V5 and both signed it... but then my brother gave the new keeper the whole v5. My brother took the £700 and off they both went their separate ways. About 3 hours after the car had gone, my brother received a call saying that he wanted to return the car as he 'didnt think his wife would like it' and he wanted his £700 back...he also said there was a squeak from the passenger door that wasnt there before. Where does my brother stand? I would say that its tuff luck for the new buyer if he has now changed his mind. However, my brother is in the unfortunate position of not holding the V5, Has no receipt or in fact any proof that this new chap has purchased the car. If my brother agrees to take the car back, who knows what this new keeper has done with the car in the 3 hours he has had it? He could have committed any number of traffic offences and my brother has no proof that he wasnt the keeper at the time of the offences.

Any help would be much appreciated... i have suggested calling the CAB and finding out where he stands, but they arent open until Tuesday

Thanks

R

colino

Tell him to go away politely, the car is sold as seen, tried and tested and don't answer any more phone calls from him. Write to the DVLA apologising for the mistake and give them the time and date of transfer with as many details of the buyer as possible.

worried_jim

Its a done deal. Caveat emptor- buyer beware. If the buyer or his wife don't like it then they'll just need to sell it, it no longer is the concern of your brother who has done nothing wrong.

gratefulforhelp_2

As the other posters have said, tell bro to contact DVLC and tell them he accidentally gave the wrong paperwork to the buyer.

janninew

A good idea for anybody selling a vehicle privately is to type a receipt with buyers details, also put the date and time of the sale on the receipt and have 2 copies, one for the buyer and one for you to keep! Not foolproof I know, but better than nothing!!

MX5huggy

Bank the 700 quid so that there is a paper trail of receiving it. Not fool proof but helps build a picture if required.

Quinny_2

Tell the guy to make like a shepherd, and tell him to flock off.

missile

You Bro should refuse to accept the return. £700 is not a lot to pay for a car and it would be unreasonable to expect a car in perfect condition. A squeaking passenger door is the only fault that buyer can come up with <LOL>

mcjordi

he has probably found a cheaper one.. no returns lol

tell him to resell if he not happy..

macman

If he brings it back, offer to put some oil on the front door for him. Then send him on his way.
Or he could always say that he has already spent the £700 on a new car...
It's a private sale, so the vehicle is sold as seen, the buyer has no rights to return the vehicle or ask for a discount of any kind if faults are subsequently found, unless your brother sold it knowing it to be unroadworthy, or deliberately misrepresented it (if for example he was asked about it's condition and said 'there are no squeaks in that car').
The buyer is obviously an idiot, but even he he won't be returning the car unless your brother offers him the money back first.
Just tell him to write to the DVLA as already advised above, they will confirm receipt.

angel00079

I have brought a car and noticed things afterwards but just chalked it down for next time when I will have a better look at a potential car.

It was nice of your brother to wait and I wonder if the buyer may be using this now his has decided he does not want the car and thinks he might be a soft touch.

Has your brother got the buyer's address?