Do I have a leg to stand on? 2nd hand car. Next step advice

Gemm83

Hi

I purchased a 2nd hand car on the 7/4. All seemed well, drove it home to Brighton from Enfield and not a problem.

2 days later there was a whurring noise. Turns out AUX belt, tensioner, crank pulley and idler pulley needed doing. £350 later, all fine.

3 days ago I noticed a knocking noise when clutch was in, and goes when you release. Turns out it's DMF failure which is now going to cost near on £1000 to fix 😔

Can I go back to the seller? Whilst it wasn't purchased from a dealership the guy did say he was a trader (based at his home address) We have an invoice with his "company" name and address etc, and he wasnt tge registered keeper. We've tried calling him but no answer and no reply to voicemail. The invoice says "sold as seen" but I was under the impression that trading standards frown upon the use of the statement nowadays? Plus I'm very close to the 30 day deadline

I'm stuck. I've got a car on the driveway I can't use or afford to repair and no money to buy a replacement.

Can anyone shed some light on the matter for me??

Thanks in advance 🙏

wgl2014

Generally within 30 days you can reject outright, after that the seller gets a chance to repair first... but.........

You've had the belt and pullys done elsewhere and the clutch is a wear and tear item. Does it need doing immediately or is it still useable but something that will need doing at some point? What age and mileage are we talking about and what was the purchase price?
Whilst you may have some legal rights it could be a 'mare getting the seller to comply with any of them. I would suggest that if you can get hold of them see what they offer and if you can get something towards the cost of clutch and dmf replacement it could be wise to go with that.

Gemm83

It's an 07 Mondeo diesel. 49k. We paid £2000 for it. Bodywork is pristine.

Update!
Well........they guy has just called and with barely no fight he said that if we get a quote for all the work DMF, clutch and all associated bits he would sort us out the money..........shocked.

Admission perhaps he knew it was an issue?

He's only agreed to that over the phone though 😕

Robisere

Worthless, get it in writing!

AdrianC

Gemm83 wrote: »

It's an 07 Mondeo diesel. 49k.

Oh, blimey. Here we go...

Please tell me that you're not just going to use it on little short local journeys, but are going to give it regular long-distance runs?

Aylesbury_Duck

AdrianC wrote: »

Oh, blimey. Here we go...

Please tell me that you're not just going to use it on little short local journeys, but are going to give it regular long-distance runs?

Yep, 10 years old with only 49k mileage. I'm not surprised there are problems. Probably why it's been sold on?

Gemm83

I drive 60 miles a day at least. So it's not just a little run around for me. It was supposed to be going to Devon and back next week but not anymore. The belt etc was expected, it's a known fault but not the clutch!

AdrianC

Gemm83 wrote: »

I drive 60 miles a day at least. So it's not just a little run around for me.

OK, great. It's probably not the horrendously bad choice for you that it was for previous owners...

It was supposed to be going to Devon and back next week but not anymore. The belt etc was expected, it's a known fault but not the clutch!

TBH, 50k in an urban-environment very-low-mileage diesel is not that unexpected at all.

Gemm83

We are having to call him tomorrow once we have a quote. I'm using the same garage I have used with all my cars and who recently completed the AUX belt work.

I'm also sending him 2 letters tomorrow. One by special delivery and the other 1st class with postage certification to state the issues and what we want. Whilst i have no reason to doubt his word (taking out selling a plum) we run out of our 30 days on sunday. I will also be asking him to email what he has agreed to do.

force_ten

the quote for that work will be £750-£1000 depending on the garage that is doing the work

let us know what your garage gives you as a quote

Gemm83

If I remember rightly the garage charges £75ph labour. 5-6hrs work whole kit maybe £450?? Looking between about between £800- £900. He lives in London so I would have thought he would know roughly how much labour would be!