Private car sale

Neo17

Hi I sold my van. Before selling I had the van in garage for mot. They was an advisory on the mot of a slight oil leak. So to me this wasn’t something big. I’m not a mechanic but as it was an advisory I was sure it wasn’t major. But anyways for piece of mind I got oil leak fixed it was a switch that was lose and oil leaking. I sold the van and told them about the oil leak and that it was in garage and they said after oil leak been done they would test drive it. They test drove the van and were happy and bought the van from me. And hour later they told me the van broke down with oil warning light. I said it had been fixed and I was surprised but offered to pay the cost of the switch that had been fixed to get it redone. A few days later they told me it was major works and that the engine needed to be rebuilt and that I was liable as I didn’t get oil leak fixed! Which I did I wasn’t aware of any more oil leaks or engine faults. What are my leagal responsibilities as I sold the van in good faith and carried out the advisory? Van was sold for 3000 and now asking me to pay 3600 I’m a single mother and have no idea where to go with this please help me

waamo

They are trying it on. Caveat Emptor. It's a private sale and if they want a warranty they need to buy from a dealer.

Neo17

Thank you I have tried telling them this but they said they going to take me to court as saying our deal was subject oil leak fixed which I did I got the only oil leak I knew about fixed. X

waamo

You are not a mechanic and not expected to be an expert on mechanics. If you paid an expert for repairs and they didn't do it properly that's not your problem. You can only go off what you were told by a professional.

Neo17

Thank you I’m just so worried that I’m gonna go to court n lose and end up with a big bill that I cannot afford. I know I did everything in my power to ensure the van was fully working. It’s put me off ever selling a vehicle again

waamo

Another point is how do you know they haven't damaged the engine themselves. I find it surprising they managed to damage it so significantly so quickly.

A suspicious person might think they are crooks.

sheslookinhot

Do not have any more correspondence with them. Do not worry in the slightest about their threats. Sounds to me they are con artists out to take advantage of you. There might even be the chance there is nothing wrong with the van.

Neo17

They have had and engineers report and to get fixed was 2900 saying that they can prove leak was their before they bought it. But I was honestly unaware of any other faults I’d spent over £1000 on it before sale ensureing it was all done.

waamo

It's a private sale. The time to inspect is was before purchase and not after.

Aylesbury_Duck

Hold your nerve. If you described it accurately and acted in good faith on the advisory (and have the receipt to show the work was carried out before you sold the van) then they aren't going to succeed. Do not engage with them any further and don't get spooked if they start a small claims process. Just come back on here and people will talk you through what you need to do to defend it.

If they continue to harass you with calls/texts/emails, report it to the police.

Neo17

Thank you I’ve already got small claims papers. Have to respond this week Ive tried to get hell of solisitors but none want to know as it’s under 10.000 so have to go alone which is scary stuff when I have no idea what to do