Second Hand Car - Death Trap help!!

**Amy**

Hi

I bought a car via a private seller yesterday with 7 months MOT. I noticed a small squeaking sound, to do with the brakes (we thought possibly due to it being stationery for a few months according to the owners). I booked into have it looked at this morning, and the garage basically called me over and told me to look under the car.

Its riddled with rust and large holes, and has been completly re-welded extremely badly (bodge job) and painted over. He said it was really terrible and should be scrapped. Its a danger to drive as there is no support in the chasis at all.

I was devestated. He told me that if someone stood up in the back, they would probably go through the floor, its that corroded. He advised me to take lots of photos, which I have done. He looked at the MOT and its a photocopy and has no advisories, whcih he said was odd for a car of 10 years old (not even a slightly worn tyre etc. etc.).

He advised we get a duplicate of the MOT from the test garage, we did this and there is definitely nothing on it. The MOT test man said he remembered the car (even though it was done 4 months ago???) and he said "it was the cleanest car" he had seen of that age, which was surprising as they are prone to rust...

I have spoken to the previous owner, but they are claiming they didnt know, that they bought it just after the MOT and that they have already spent the money.

I have logged a call with Trading Standards, but obviously am not sure what else to do.

The previous owner is trying to find out (through his paperwork) who he bought it from, so that I can add his details to trading standards case.

My garage is writing a report on the car, to say its not roadworthy and that it couldnt of happened in 4 months (and without any advisories on the MOT).

Just wondering what you all think, and if you think we have a case or not?

I have gone from angry, to upset, back to angry about a thousand times today

Thanks for any info or suggestions.

Slowhand

**Amy** wrote: »

Hi

I bought a car via a private seller yesterday with 7 months MOT. I noticed a small squeaking sound, to do with the brakes (we thought possibly due to it being stationery for a few months according to the owners). I booked into have it looked at this morning, and the garage basically called me over and told me to look under the car.

Its riddled with rust and large holes, and has been completly re-welded extremely badly (bodge job) and painted over. He said it was really terrible and should be scrapped. Its a danger to drive as there is no support in the chasis at all.

I was devestated. He told me that if someone stood up in the back, they would probably go through the floor, its that corroded. He advised me to take lots of photos, which I have done. He looked at the MOT and its a photocopy and has no advisories, whcih he said was odd for a car of 10 years old (not even a slightly worn tyre etc. etc.).

He advised we get a duplicate of the MOT from the test garage, we did this and there is definitely nothing on it. The MOT test man said he remembered the car (even though it was done 4 months ago???) and he said "it was the cleanest car" he had seen of that age, which was surprising as they are prone to rust...

I have spoken to the previous owner, but they are claiming they didnt know, that they bought it just after the MOT and that they have already spent the money.

I have logged a call with Trading Standards, but obviously am not sure what else to do.

The previous owner is trying to find out (through his paperwork) who he bought it from, so that I can add his details to trading standards case.

My garage is writing a report on the car, to say its not roadworthy and that it couldnt of happened in 4 months (and without any advisories on the MOT).

Just wondering what you all think, and if you think we have a case or not?

I have gone from angry, to upset, back to angry about a thousand times today

Thanks for any info or suggestions.

This far down the time scale you can forget any MOT related issues. An MOT reflects the condition of the vehicle on the DAY tested.

**Amy**

Slowhand wrote: »

This far down the time scale you can forget any MOT related issues. An MOT reflects the condition of the vehicle on the DAY tested.

Thanks for your reply.

Is there no way I can find out if it is a dodgy one? I am really finding it hard to believe its a true reflection of the car, if that makes sense?

Slowhand

**Amy** wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

Is there no way I can find out if it is a dodgy one? I am really finding it hard to believe its a true reflection of the car, if that makes sense?

Dodgy MOT's are by and large a a thing of thr past now. Contact VOSA who oversee the MOT garages. To be honest I think you will struggle.

flashg67

Have you checked online using the reg number and the MOT number or the log book reference - this shows MOT history and any advisories.
http://motinfo.direct.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECHID-Internet-History-Request.jsp

**Amy**

Hi

Yeah I did that before we got a duplicate MOT certificate, and it shows no advisories, but if the garage is dodgy and doing dodgy MOTs then surely they wouldnt put it on there?

I know we will struggle, believe me I have pretty much come to the conclusion we wont get that money back, but its still not great if this is something that has been done before, as it will probably be done again.

unholyangel

First, was the car advertised somewhere? What did the advertisement say?

What kind of car and how much did you pay? If the reseller didnt know, why did he sell it after just 4 months?

unholyangel

**Amy** wrote: »

Hi

Yeah I did that before we got a duplicate MOT certificate, and it shows no advisories, but if the garage is dodgy and doing dodgy MOTs then surely they wouldnt put it on there?

I know we will struggle, believe me I have pretty much come to the conclusion we wont get that money back, but its still not great if this is something that has been done before, as it will probably be done again.

I'm too comfy to move and check my own MOT cert but does the cert have the VIN? Or does anyone know if garages check these on MOTs?

pinkshoes

Report to VOSA, as the garage has clearly fiddled the MOT. There's no way it can rust that much in just 4 months.

Was the garage a 'mate' of the guy who sold it? He must've known!

arcon5

How much did you pay for the car?

Did you inspect it before purchasing it? Inspecting cars being sold privately is paramount - it's not like when you buy from a dealer in which you have statutory rights, private sales = caveat emptor.

The only way in which you would have a case would be if you could prove misrepresentation. So it also comes down to what is said in the cars description.

mattyprice4004

Who would you expect to get money back from? If the garage did a poor job of repairing the car for the MOT, that's not the private seller's fault. If they had no idea you can't blame them.

You didn't ring them and ask for a refund did you? You won't get money back from them, or from the garage. This is why you should properly inspect any 2nd hand car from a private seller before buying.