Deposit on a car - can I change my mind?

gdhgdh

Last week I put down a £500 deposit on a £10,000 car, but I've got cold feet and now realise I have been really stupid. I get nervous easily and ignored all my gut instincts

On slow reading of the order form that I signed, it would appear I have no choice but to pay the balance. I wondered if there's any way I can wriggle out of it (and get a refund of the deposit!?)

The first lines are 'I agree to purchase from you subject to the following order the undermentioned goods...... I understand that in signing this form I am bound to the t&c's as set out in the agreement written above'

The only terms written were '12 months tax' and 'MOT'

I agreed to all this despite:

- the car's description on Auto Trader says 'full service history' but there is only one dealer stamp in the service book at 42k miles (the car has done 60k)

- paintwork problems on the bonnet that they promised to get sorted out, but these were not mentioned or visible on photos in the ad.

- HPI check shows outstanding finance - the dealer promises they have already paid it off and will get me a certificate to prove it (not provided as yet) - not mentioned in the ad.

Can I wriggle out of this based on the car not being as described, even though I signed the contract?

Here's hoping!

Notmyrealname

You can renege on the contract but you'll probably find you've lost your £500.

HPI check shows outstanding finance

Very common. Dealers don't buy the cars on the forecourt outright but get them on a car dealership finance. This is paid when the car is sold.

colino

Keep on wriggling, and keep on giving £500 away, eventually you'll hook a bargain.

nonnatus

But the point of a deposit, is that it's NON reundable in the event that the buyer changes his mind and backs out!!!

It's some security for the seller, who has removed the car from sale whilst you are gathering the finance together (so presumably lost any other potential buyers) and security for you that no-one else will buy the car whilst you get yourself sorted.

I think it would be unreasonable for you to get the deposit back, I'm afraid .

When I sold puppies I took decent deposits and twice, some daft souls changed their mind and asked for the deposit money to be returned! I pointed to the "non-refundable" bit on the receipt and they were VERY stroppy, even accusing me of theft!!! I kept the deposits.

Good Luck...

boyse7en

If the deposit were returnable, what would be the point of the deposit?
I think legally the seller can only 'charge' for actual losses he incurs by you backing out. This might not be the full £500 so you could request that he returns the rest. For example, he sells the car for £9750, then he could keep £250 and return £250 to you. But, he could also 'charge' for having to re-advertise the car, the cost of valeting it again if it takes a few weeks to sell, etc etc. These costs are likely to come to ... exactly £500 i would reckon.