Private sale, buyer says vehcle is accident damaged

minimoto

We listed a vehicle on ebay as a classified ad.

Some one came and looked with their two burly 'mechanic friends' as he introduced them who spent 40 mins looking over the vehicle inside and out, under bonnet etc and took for a test drive. After bartering with price (knocked £100 off) they signed log book and took away on a recovery truck.

The driver door is slightly bent at the bottom corner (previous owner told us their child shut seatbelt in door) never caused us any issues, they noticed it and asked to which I told them all I knew, one of the 'mechanics' even said its fine it will knock back flush.

A week later he's called and said he wants to return for a full refund as apparently taken it to a repair centre who have told him its been damaged in a side impact and will cost £400 to repair and isn't safe to drive in current state. Told him no sold as seen and now he's threatening court action and that he 'knows where we live'.

Everything i've read here and online says they haven't got a leg to stand on, but the wife is terrified they will come to the house as they were pretty intimidating fella's.

Is the best thing just to ignore the calls and just hope they don't decide to come back?

Marktheshark

minimoto wrote: »

Is the best thing just to ignore the calls and just hope they don't decide to come back?

No the best thing is to read them a harrasment warning you have pre-writen and can show to the police.
They can then arrest them for ignoring it.

Any dispute over the car is a civil matter and the channels for taking legal vengeance is via the county court.

tykesi

You're right - buyer beware. Private sale but sold as seen so ignore. if they turn up stand your ground and if they get agressive, call the police.

All this is assuming you didn't know it was accident damaged as to have deliberately misled them might cause you issues.

jimjames

If 2 mechanics spent 40 mins looking over the car before agreeing to buy then they have even less reason for comeback.

If he has an issue with the car then he should be asking "his" mechanics why they said it was ok after spending so long looking at it.

As above, buyer beware wouldn't apply if you've deliberately misled and it was actually an accident you had in it that caused the damage.

SmellyPetrol

As the above posters say - this buyer bought two grease monkeys with him and they failed to spot this 'error.' - Something smells really fishy about this story, I wouldn't listen to them and action a harassment claim with the police.

minimoto

Thanks for the replies everyone. If they call again I will be polite but firm.

Never had an accident while we have been owners, obviously cant speak for previous owners (its a 14 year old vehicle which we have had 18 months so assume there will be a few!), will this count against us if it did go to court?

But how can anyone be confident their vehicle hasn't been involved in an accident before they purchase?

burlington6

The ''mechanics'' were probably like a few people on here. Changed a wheel one weekend and now just give advice

eamon

Its a 14yo car. I'd be astonished if it didn't have any dents etc. However did your ebay advert make it clear that you were a private seller and not a trader.
It can make a difference as to your legal responsibilities.

Captaincodpiece

eamon wrote: »

Its a 14yo car. I'd be astonished if it didn't have any dents etc. However did your ebay advert make it clear that you were a private seller and not a trader.
It can make a difference as to your legal responsibilities.

Does it have to?

I doubt we are talking about a dodgy trader here.

youth_leader

So sorry to see this. I sold a car years ago and someone that test drove it, alone, as I had my children in the house, pinched everything out of the boot and I didn't discover it until the next buyer came along.

Don't lose your faith in human nature and hope the harassment order does the trick.

eamon

Yes it can make a difference as trade sellers can't use the ruse "sold as seen" to an unsuspecting member of the public and hence abdicate themselves of any responsibilities. Trade2Trade is different. But in all likelyhold the buyer is still a chancer and has been laughed at by his/her mates for buying an unfashionable car.