Dodgy Dealer Sold us a Faulty Car

sblondon

My mother bought a second hand Golf from a used car dealer nearly three weeks ago, a week after she bought it the gearbox failed on a roundabout, it was pushed into a car park, the RAC were called who performed diagnostics which revealed a fundamental flaw with the gearbox which would cost £3500 to repair.

We were advised that according to the Consumer Rights act that we should contact the dealer, explain that the car had been sold faulty, that this breached her consumer rights and that as we are (well) within the 30 day 'grace' period that he is obligated to refund the money.

We have had the car towed back to him and sent all correspondence via email and recorded delivery. He now has the car, the keys and had agreed to refund nearly the full cost (less £350) which we agreed to on Monday of this week. Needless to say there has been no refund and he has listed the car for sale on Autotrader and on his website. He is now not responding to any communications.

Please, please can someone help me figure out what to do, my mother has very little and has just left an abusive relationship, this situation is pushing her over the edge and I'm struggling to cope with her/it and really no idea what to do next. I am going to call her bank tomorrow re Chargeback options as she paid by Via Debit but I don't hold out much hope for that.

Any advice would be hugely appreciated, I can't see the wood for the trees at the moment.