Bought a dodgy motor please help !!!!

Jonnytwotimes

Less than a week ago we seen a car we liked from a motor trader on ebay.

Went to view and test drive and everything seemed in order, FSH mots etc no alarm bells.

Made an offer and paid in person by debit card. We then took it to a mechanic to give it a once over and to our horror found there are some very serious problems that will cost a lot to put right and there is no way they would have not known about this.

The mechanic said we have statutory rights that cover us for 3 months in cases like this and some early research suggests we should write to the dealer either asking for a refund or for money to pay for the issues.

Trading standards are closed over the weekend which means worrying about losing all our money until we can call them on Monday. We are not too sure if we need to go through all the legal/formal channels or if we should just flat out ask them for a refund as we are now afraid to drive the car which is a major inconvenience.

If anybody with knowledge or experience can shed any light on this that would be most appreciated.

Thanks

techspec

Arn't you supposed to give it the once over first?

ILW

Is it roadworthy?

lippy1923

I think as long as its roadworthy, then its sold as seen.You should get things checked out before you buy. What sort of things did the mechanic say was wrong?

Hopefully someone will know more about this and be able to offer you some advice.

patman99

Have you actually spoken to the trader ?.
I had the same issue with a car bought from a forecourt. Having spoken to the dealer, he has now booked the car in to a garage for examination to see if it is worth repairing. If not, I will get a refund (hoping it is cost effective to repair though).

Unless you talk to the dealer, you will not know what their response will be.
Worst case scenario is that the dealer refuses to have anything to do with it. In which case, sending a 'letter before action' would be the next step. Followed by Court action. Which Court depends on how much you paid for it as the 'Small Claims' division of the County Court has an upper limit for claims.

Fire_Fox

Were there lies in the listing, did the seller lie when you asked questions about any known problems or did you just make assumptions?

arcon5

Unless faults was specified before buying, sold as seen is irrelevant.

What are the faults? What's the age and mileage?

No you don't get 3 months cover by law. You get reasonable time to reject for a refund if it doesn't conform to contract, followed by rights to a remedy after that.
However, cars are subject to wear and tear based on its service history, driving style, age etc. so just because a fault has developed doesn't necessarily mean you have a right to a repair if it is merely down to wear and tear due to its age, mileage.

We really need a sticky about people's rights when buying used cars

spiro

I know several motor traders and you now get 6 months if things go wrongs excluding fair wear and tear. 'Sold as seen' etc on receipt does not protect them. They have real problems when they provide a 6 month warranty (they pay for) and somethings goes that is not covered they have to pay to get it fixed themselves.

Jonnytwotimes

spiro wrote: »

I know several motor traders and you now get 6 months if things go wrongs excluding fair wear and tear. 'Sold as seen' etc on receipt does not protect them. They have real problems when they provide a 6 month warranty (they pay for) and somethings goes that is not covered they have to pay to get it fixed themselves.

That sounds about right from my research. It has 123,000 miles and I paid £1725 2003 model. There is a problem with the starter motor and a problem with the duel fly wheel which the mechanic said is quite serious as its just about to go and could cost around £800 to put right. At the moment we stopped driving the car to avoid and risk of mechanical failure whilst out and about.

No faults were pointed out and it was presented as a vehicles with no issues.

Yes I did give it the once over and test drive it but I'm not a mechanic nor do I have the tools or equipment to diagnose serious faults and that's why the law is there to protect consumers.

Thanks for the responses. I may see if they are open today.