Small Claims - Refund on used car

Silent_Dancer

I bought a used car in September from a dealer. It was sold with a 12 month warranty and as being subject to an 80 point pre-sale check and a service.

Shortly after delivery I found problems with the blue-tooth module not working. Also the boot light and both parking lights were not working. On the fifth day the car overheated. They attempted to repair it.

The car overheated again and a second repair was made.

The car then overheated again. The RAC were called. They stated that the original repair was poor and diagnosed a head gasket leak.

The car was returned to the garage, they stated that the fault was due to a faulty thermostat which they replaced. The car overheated again and the boot lock is now faulty.

I visited the garage to request my money back hand delivering a complaint letter at the same time. They refused the refund and also refused to do any further repairs.

As they failed to respond to my complaint letter in writing I sent a pre-court claim letter stating that I want a refund on the basis that:

• The car was not fit for purpose, as described and of satisfactory quality.
• The repairs were not performed with reasonable skill and care.
• The sale was subject to misrepresentation as they have not stood by the 12 month warranty and there is no evidence to show the car was subject to an 80 point check and service.

I am now at the point of deciding if to pursue them through the small claims court. I now know the company is run by a convicted fraudster so whilst I feel I have a strong case I am wary that I may not get my money back.

Following the issue of the claim I think it is very unlikely that they will admit the claim. Most likely they will ignore and I'll get judgement by default. The other alternative is they'll defend it and drag things out.

So my questions are:

1) It is not clear who I bought the car off. There is a limited company at the address but it is not clear if they are using it to trade through. My invoice just states XXXX Cars rather than XXXX Cars Ltd. Therefore should I issue the court claim against XXXX Cars? Should this limit wriggle room if he is actually trading as a sole trader.

2)If they defend and drag it out how long could it be before the court hearing takes place?

3)Once I have received judgement I plan to use a high court enforcement officer to recover the money and costs. My concern is how likely they are to wiggle off this, they do have assets with other vehicles for sale and it is a business address?

arcon5

How much are you talking and where's the car now?
How long has the Ltd company been formed and has the director got a long history of diectorships?

shaun_from_Africa

Another point that is important is how did you pay for the car?

Silent_Dancer

£4,500 for the car. I still have the car.


The company was formed in June 16. The director has no prior history and appears to be acting as a shadow for the business manager who is disqualified from being a director. (think the director is the partner or wife of this disqualified individual.)


I paid for the car by direct transfer to their bank account.

arcon5

How much are you talking and where's the car now?
How long has the Ltd company been formed and has the director got a long history of diectorships?

arcon5

Sorry for duplicate.

On the face of it it could be worth pursuing

Where's the car now and in what state

Silent_Dancer

The car is in my possession.



It works but for how long I do not know. Rather than fix the leaking head gasket properly they used leak sealant which can be seen by the copper particles in the coolant and over the top of the coolant tank after it overheated. They deny using leak sealant but have also stated that they did not have the means to diagnose a head gasket leak themselves.


Also I cannot get into the boot.

Silent_Dancer

I've decided to issue a claim against the dealer. Fingers crossed.

Silent_Dancer

The defendant has filed an "Acknowledgement of Service". The individual who has completed the document is not a director of the company and is also disqualified from being a director.

Therefore, is the 'Acknowledgement of Service' invalid?
And if it is invalid how do I raise this with the court service?

knightstyle

Can't help with the question but make sure they are still trading under the same name before you go to court and then before paying for bailiffs.
Car dealers are well known for frequent changes to avoid paying court awarded compensation.

unholyangel

Silent_Dancer wrote: »

The defendant has filed an "Acknowledgement of Service". The individual who has completed the document is not a director of the company and is also disqualified from being a director.

Therefore, is the 'Acknowledgement of Service' invalid?
And if it is invalid how do I raise this with the court service?

If he is disqualified then he can't have anything at all to do with the running/managing of the company. They can still be an employee but need to be very careful about what duties they undertake/how they present themselves.

That shouldn't affect your claim though.

However if the disqualified director defends by himself in court/presents himself as a manager etc then I'd broach the subject at the hearing (if it gets that far).