Contract law?? Car purchase?

Jetjockey

Nothing bent about the car, not decrepit either, just needed a new bonnet after a minor ding and a new cam belt, otherwise perfectly roadworthy.
Top of the range Citroen Picasso Lounge (special edition) with all the bells and whistles including full leather, digital air con, etc, etc, etc, etc.
Owner wanted it gone after buying an S class Merc.

So........ to answer all the critics asking why I wanted such an old banger and why it was so special...... I think I’ve just answered your question, even though I shouldn’t have to explain myself!

As for the car being stolen on its way to me...... the seller was known to me and wouldn’t do that. What he has done is changed his mind AFTER accepting the money and handing over the documents. It’s a simple enough situation and all these questions are irrelevant. The guy took the money, the deal was completed, I’m now pi**ed, and quite rightly so.
I’m simply trying to find out where I stand in law.

Thanks. P.S. A completed V5c is not proof of ownership!

Aylesbury_Duck

Ok. I think you stand where you were before the deal: with £500. Unless you want to spend a lot of time and money on legal action, I suspect that's where you'll stay.

Jetjockey

Hello AD.

Unfortunately, that’s not what I’m asking, quite clearly.

What I’m obviously asking is do I have legal grounds to force the seller to return the car to me? The deal was not cancelled before completion and I did take delivery. After the money changed hands I went to the car park to have another quick look at the car and drove it around the block before returning to the cafe. Job done!

Aylesbury_Duck

Jetjockey wrote: »

Hello AD.

Unfortunately, that’s not what I’m asking, quite clearly.

What I’m obviously asking is do I have legal grounds to force the seller to return the car to me? The deal was not cancelled before completion and I did take delivery. After the money changed hands I went to the car park to have another quick look at the car and drove it around the block before returning to the cafe. Job done!

What you're obviously asking is for me to agree with you, quite clearly.

Look, you're certain you're right, that the deal was completed and that you took delivery. "Job done" as you say. Only you don't possess the car and its owner doesn't possess your money.

By all means disagree with me. If you want proper legal advice, pay for it instead of asking for layman opinions on here and then complaining when they're not what you want to hear. In my first response I suggested you call the police to report the car stolen but you seem reluctant to do so. I see no other options other than to report it stolen, pursue it legally or forget about it and move on.

Oh, and just to check, were you insured to drive it round the block?

Car_54

Jetjockey wrote: »

Nothing bent about the car, not decrepit either, just needed a new bonnet after a minor ding and a new cam belt, otherwise perfectly roadworthy.

Nothing bent? Did you see proof of ownership?


And, in turn, did you get a receipt from the seller? Without one, I can't see you getting very far.

Jetjockey

AD.

I’m quite clearly not asking for you to agree with me, that’s nonsense.
What I’m asking for is a legal opinion, that was made clear in my original post. I do expect that people with legal training frequent these sites, I have a couple of professions and often give professional advice on aviation and electronics to name but a few. Unfortunately legalise is not one of my professions. I’m not looking for ifs, buts and maybes. I’m looking for someone with legal experience to tell me I’m wasting my time or I’m not.

Regards paying for legal advice, have you noticed it’s Sunday? Can’t get to a bona fide solicitor until tomorrow. I simply thought that I might get a legal opinion today and possibly save myself the trouble tomorrow.
It’s not rocket science.

Regards the car being bent (again)....... I’ve known of the owner for several years and he’s owned the car for the last two years! Once and for all it’s not bent!

Sea_Shell

Say you DO have a case. Are you willing to throw ££££'s in legal fees at it over a £500 car, just to prove a point.

That car's gone!! Unless they reconsider and decide they will sell to you after all...maybe for £650 next time, as you're so keen!!

Car_54

It's not just a question of law, but of practicality. If you get a court to order the return of the car (and it's a very big "if", and could be costly) and the seller has disposed of it in the meantime, what then?

JJ_Egan

Jetjockey wrote: »

AD.


What I’m asking for is a legal opinion,
>>


But this is a forum not someplace that gives out Legal Opinions .



<I do expect that people with legal training frequent these sites>


YES on legal sites but this is a users forum with varied opinions .Your expectations are misplaced .



Personally i would write it off .
Without paying out dont see how you are going to FORCE anything .
LBA might be the way to go but the guy is likely to ignore it and you .

Aylesbury_Duck

Jetjockey wrote: »

AD.

I’m quite clearly not asking for you to agree with me, that’s nonsense.
What I’m asking for is a legal opinion, that was made clear in my original post. I do expect that people with legal training frequent these sites, I have a couple of professions and often give professional advice on aviation and electronics to name but a few. Unfortunately legalise is not one of my professions. I’m not looking for ifs, buts and maybes. I’m looking for someone with legal experience to tell me I’m wasting my time or I’m not.

Regards paying for legal advice, have you noticed it’s Sunday? Can’t get to a bona fide solicitor until tomorrow. I simply thought that I might get a legal opinion today and possibly save myself the trouble tomorrow.
It’s not rocket science.

Regards the car being bent (again)....... I’ve known of the owner for several years and he’s owned the car for the last two years! Once and for all it’s not bent!

In which case, you're on the wrong forum. No self-respecting lawyer is going to give you decent advice you can act on based on your account as you've set it out here. You're welcome to ignore all the ifs, buts and maybes in your search for free legal advice.

It may not be rocket science but you don't know the answer, do you. Let's just suppose I am an expert on contract law. I would have thought that the first question any lawyer would ask is: What evidence do you have that the contract was formed and completed? On the basis of what you've told us, there isn't anything beyond a third party witness who isn't independent because they're your friend. Do you have a sales receipt or similar?