Help! Sold a dud car!

Obukit

fairyfleur wrote: »

Correction: I bought the car 3 months ago, 3 months yesterday actually, not 5 - that was a typo

Fairyfleur:

The good news is there is plenty of advice online, CAB have a really good article: -

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_world/consumer_affairs/buying_second_hand_vehicles.htm#you_bought_the_vehicle_from_a_dealer

Did you pay for the car using a credit card? This could make it easier as the card company is jointly liable.

The two problems you are going to have is that most people would expect a 1994 Corsa to have rust issues. Also, rust is usually pretty evident and your position is weakened if you didn't notice this when inspecting the car, or did and ignored it. However, you aren't expected to be a mechanic! Did you get a fail sheet from the MOT/get the tester to put in writing the defects with the car?

bris

There is no good news for the op on this one. The problems didn't happen over night and would have been clear to see 3 months ago. In this case a 1994 banger is exactly that, the law takes into account the age and price of a vehicle for consideration on what to expect, in this case you got what you paid for.
Next time you buy a car, take someone with you who can at least look for big rusty holes every where.

n3il_2

Used car salesmen are !!!!s and are out for 1 thing and 1 thing only and that's to rip people off, they r the scum of the earth.

verityboo

mikey72 wrote: »

Even better for rejecting, as s b said vosa themselves agree three months is too short a time for serious corrosion.

There is a 3 month window to complain after an MOT is carried out.

The MOT on the OP's car was carried out 9 to 10 months ago so VOSA would not be interested

fivetide

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Erm, well wasn't it you who was saying you used to rub your hands together in glee? - Do you think on a consumer forum that its a good thing to say if you want respect from others?

No. Therefore I am defending the Op who has admitted to being a lady, knowing nothing about cars etc from YOU who are attacking HER saying she's making out that its the big bad traders fault as usual.

It's people like you sb that these forums are here to try and protect the customer from so when you start slating the op about slating traders, don't be surprised when people have a go back.

Well said that man.

she's gone to trader for peace of mind and he's screwed her over.

Saying she's trader bashing is rubbish as is all this "the trader could have missed it" twaddle. As a trader they'd know the types of car. They'd know what goes wrong and know what to check. The trader has stiched up the OP so stop trying to defend the indefensible.

5t.

Joe_Horner

For all those saying there's nothing to be done, besr in mind that it's sactually a criminal offence to sell an un-roadworthy car and that past cases have demonstrated that dealers are NOT entitled to rely on the presence of an MOT to demonstrate roadworthiness - any more than a car owner is if they're stopped with faults such as bald tyres.

Assuming the rust is in the "usual" areas for these, it's not something that the OP would be expected to spot but it IS probably something that a dealer should be aware of, and should be checking before putting the model on sale. It's assumed that a dealer (ie: a motor trade professional) will have far greater knowledge of his product than the purchaser. Remember, there's a world of difference between some other threads on here discussing faults with sundry electrical stuff and corrosion faults that could cause suspension collapse or brake failure.

With 3 months gone, Trading Standards may or may not be able to actually do something in this case - a lot will depend on just how bad the corrosion is and the attitude of Trading Standards personnel in the particular area - but even if they can't act most will be very happy indeed to have information about a dealer who's passing off poorly checked cars.

To the OP, bear in mind that any welding repair tends to be expensive so "will cost hundreds" doesn't automatically mean that the car is falling apart or even dangerous. But, as you say, you have no knowledge yourself and the mechanic, while highly recommended, may be making the problem seem worse than it really is.

Trading Standards will be able to advise you impartially, including inspecting the car (or having it inspected) if needed.

Foxy-Stoat_3

So what motor trader would sell a car with 3 months MOT left to run to average Joe 6 Pack? They would of at least tried to put a new MOT but found that it needed welding.

By the same token, what punter would buy a car from a motor trader with only 3 months left to run unless it was sinking cheap? A 1994 corsa with short MOT should of been bought for £250 maximum and only after a thorough inspection.

Nothing wrong with buying through motor traders but dont assume anything.

Lesson learned and move on, after involving Trading Standards and make the trader sweat a bit.

vaio

OP, might be worth looking at the MOT history web site, if the trader tried to get an MOT & failed before he sold it to you then you will have a much stronger (aka cast iron) case against him

concerned43

contact these guys
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Consumerrights/index.htm

fairyfleur

Thanks everyone for your help. Lessons learned.