claim against 2nd hand car dealer

Kg1310

Hi
New to the forum, please be patient with me. I bought a 2nd hand car for £1000 on Thursday. Car was described as in 'excellent rare condition, with full 12 months MOT, no advisories, good clutch and brakes' Given my ultimate priority is the safety of my children, I took it literally straight into a garage the next day for a full service. Turns out the car is leaking brake fluid and had a worn suspension rod. Naively, I agreed to the repairs, and walked away with a final bill of over £345 for the pleasure. I have spoken to the dealer and explained the situation, and asked him under the circumstances of which he sold me the vehicle, I would like him to reduce the cost to meet me half way and pay towards the repairs. (I asked him for a reduction of £175 which is half.) He basically laughed at me, saying the garage who instigated the repairs have ripped me off, and i have no claim with him. Anyone know where I stand ? I feel quite intimidated, as he 'invited me' to involve trading standards as he was so confident I have no claim to make. Think he saw a young mum with 2 kids and realised I no absolute jack about cars.

lincroft1710

Unfortunately I think you will struggle. You should have given the dealer the opportunity of examining the car (and possibly fixing) before entrusting work to another garage.

Also if the £345 includes the cost of the service, you cannot claim this cost from the dealer

Kg1310

Thanks, no the service was extra on top of this. I am now kicking myself for allowing the repairs to be done. I guess I just wanted to make sure my kids were not being transported around in a dangerous vehicle.

lincroft1710

depending on the car £1345 may not be expensive for car which has 12 months MOT and you know is safe and hopefully reliable

Kg1310

Yes thank you, that is a very good point.
I am tempted to go and speak to CAB with all the facts to see if I do have any claim under misinterpretation, but if I don't get anywhere I'll console myself with that.

pinkshoes

Kg1310 wrote: »

Yes thank you, that is a very good point.
I am tempted to go and speak to CAB with all the facts to see if I do have any claim under misinterpretation, but if I don't get anywhere I'll console myself with that.

You do have a claim, but... You would have had to give the seller the chance to put it right.

As there would have been no labour cost to the seller, then it would only cost him parts.

What was the cost of the parts fitted to the car?

Kg1310

He's a dealer, he doesn't have a garage. I didn't even think to question if it was his responsibility to fix at the time, I just wanted it fixed so I could put my kids in it.
He sold it to me leading me to understand that it was 'immaculate inside and out ' and to be confident in the 12 months MOT. I have been told it shouldn't have passed its MOT if it was leaking break fluid........but I guess now it's been fixed ..........

maninthestreet

Lets hope the car turns out to reliable, now any defects have been rectified.

wealdroam

Kg1310 wrote: »

He's a dealer, he doesn't have a garage. I didn't even think to question if it was his responsibility to fix at the time, I just wanted it fixed so I could put my kids in it.
He sold it to me leading me to understand that it was 'immaculate inside and out ' and to be confident in the 12 months MOT. I have been told it shouldn't have passed its MOT if it was leaking break fluid........but I guess now it's been fixed ..........

Yes, now it has been fixed there is no evidence that you can show the seller demonstrating that there ever was a problem.

The seller may be right... perhaps your repairer is the dodgy one.

Fergie76

I know it's too late now, but was there not an opportunity to have the car independently inspected before you bought the car?

AA can do this or I'm sure if the dealer is reputable he would have no problem with you taking it to a local garage?

http://www.theaa.com/motoring-advice/car-checking.html

s_b

so
it was sold with new mot no advisories and with confidence by seller
you took it to third party
they say brakes leaking


















sorry had to duck down a flying pig nearly hit me















next................