Trader is demanding money for a fault on my part exchange

Scoobydoodle

I recently traded in my car to purchase another used model and the dealer has now contacted me to say he sold it on to another garage and it has developed a fault.  My used car was in excellent condition, had low mileage and had recently passed an MOT. There were no warning lights indicating any problems and it was driving very smoothly with no issues when I handed it over.   The salesman viewed the car aNd took it for a test drive before we completed the deal and was happy with the car.  Now I have received a call to say they had passed the car to another garage who say there is a fault which will cost 800 to repair.  We have consulted with local garages who say a warning light would have been on if this particular fault had occurred and would have been in evidence when we sold the vehicle. We obviously don’t know what’s happened since we transferred ownership or even if there actually is a fault. Is this a con and can anyone advise where stand regarding liability?

Ebe_Scrooge

I'm assuming you part-ex'd your car as a private individual, rather than as a trader ?  If so, the dealer has got a massive cheek. It was the salesman's job to assess the car and agree on the value he was happy to give you for it.  If a fault subsequently develops, that's not your problem.  It's an out-an-out con.  Just ignore them - and make a mental note never to use that dealership again, they sound like a right bunch of cowboys.  Oh, to your last point - you're in no way liable.  As a "layman", you're not expected to have an expert knowledge of mechanics.  Your only obligation is to describe the car honestly, and to answer any specific question you're asked - relating to the condition or known faults - honestly.

Stubod

..trying it on, just ignore and hope you don't need to return to the dealer for a problem with the car you got from them..

neilmcl

Tough on the dealer I'm afraid. As long as you didn't give a false description of the car then you have no liability. Tell him to take a hike.

motorguy

The dealer is always deemed the expert.  

No comeback on you.  His problem now.

daveyjp

This is why dealers give you less to trade than you could get from private sale.

They are pricing in risk. They took that risk so have no comeback on you.

macman

Actually, this dealer would have no claim on the OP even if they had lied about it's condition. He no longer owns it. The fault claim is being made by the dealer he sold it on to. The dispute is now between the 2 dealers-no concern of the OP.

DoaM

macman said:

Actually, this dealer would have no claim on the OP even if they had lied about it's condition. He no longer owns it. The fault claim is being made by the dealer he sold it on to. The dispute is now between the 2 dealers-no concern of the OP.

Bingo!

waamo

Tell him he's having a giraffe and not to bother you again.

greyteam1959

The cheeky git.

Dr_Crypto

Ha ha ha. No. TTFO.