Used Car from Trader Multiple Failures - Rights

motorguy

Meades123 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

Before I agreed to the repairs I contacted the trader by email (no reply) and by phone. He said there was nothing he would do, that I got a good deal and that the car was "sold as seen".

I was put in the position by the trader misleading me. I'm no lawyer and I am only gradually piecing together my rights and option.

He cant sell the car "sold as seen" and is breaking the law by doing so.

By spending any money repairs, you are giving the dealer wiggle room to say he wasnt given the opportunity to inspect the car first.

I would be rejecting the car.

Kiran

Make sure everything is done in writing and sent recorded delivery. Put down the list of defects that you require fixing. As others have said, you may be out of luck with the items you have had fixed already. The condition of the car you traded in is of no consiquence as I assume he inspected it before agreeing the trade in price.

Without sugar coating it, this will no doubt end up as a small claims case and even then the trader may refuse to pay leaving the final option to get the sheriffs.

Tilt

colino wrote: »

Frankly you've shot yourself in the foot by commencing any remedial work elsewhere. Once someone else has been let loose the original trader will simply state you've changed parts and he can't be responsible for what someone else has advised or done for you.

Normally I would 100% agree with this. But the car was described as being "mechanically perfect" thus meaning it may have been miss-sold. A judge may well then ignore any argument from a trader claiming that he hasn't had an opportunity to mitigate his costs, especially as it was not possible for the OP to get the car back to the seller.

colino wrote: »

Realistically even FSH Alfas have the habit of quickly becoming money pits in their middle age, either move it on as is, or be prepared for more bills.

Alfa reliability has vastly improved over the last 10 or so years. But they do need slightly more frequent servicing (particularly in oil checks) than most other makes.

TBagpuss

Did you pay the deposit by credit card? If so, and if it was over £100 then that would give you some added protection.

It is wholly appropriate for you to expect the dealer to either refund or fix the car. Sale of Goods Act - it is not fit for purpose.

Do you have a written report from the person who inspected it setting out what the faults and issues are?

bigjl

The GTV is a lovely car.

I would never buy one though as i don't have an Alfa specialist nearby.

If the timing belt was put on a tooth out i would think the car would run like a bag of bolts.

So i suggest joining an owners club or an Alfa related forum and finding a good Alfa garage nearby.

The garage has changed the MAF and charged a lot for it.

It isn't a difficult job.

Don't know which engine is in yours but i would suspect the MAF could be cleaned?

bigjl

Found this after a quick Google.

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gtv-and-916-spider/486442-gtv-maf-sensor-location-and-cleaning.html


I would find a new Garage.

facade

If the timing is indeed out, it could cause quite a few "problems" that put the eml on, simply because it is not running properly. It would have been the first thing I'd have sorted out, then reset the eml and see if it came back on.

As suggested, I'd find another garage (preferably one who knows Alfas) and see what they say.