Help please! Car buyer threatening legal action

[Deleted User]

Hi all! 

I recently sold a car on the 5th July. A Range Rover sport. It was fairly high mileage 158k 2006. 

I’ve attached a copy of the ad. I listed it as drives well with no faults. 

The buyer paid me £3800. 

He inspected the vehicle for around an hour and his companion continually pointed out various issues which may need to be resolved. ( I assume he did so to try and get me to reduce the price) 

during his inspection he noticed that there were two bolts missing from each rear tyre ( 1 each) which had snapped during wheel balancing. The garage told me they could simply weld the nut out in the future as and when I require it. 

I relayed this information to the buyer. His friend told him he may need to get new hubs as the bolt might not come out. He was annoyed at this possible expense. 

He test drove the vehicle and made no comment to the drive. 

Upon return he continued his inspection with his friend. 

He made me a lower offer stating all the work he will need to get done. I said no as it’s competitively priced. He then said he wouldn’t lose the car over £100 (he offered me 3700) and gave me 3800 ( my lowest acceptable price)

he paid and took the vehicle. 

Yesterday (14th) I was bombarded with messages saying he is so angry as he took it too his mechanic who advised it needs a new steering rack and track rods as the steering wheel wobbles? And to get the bolts off it will need new hubs. He is demanding £750. 

I’m confused because the only problem I was aware of was that the rear door didn’t open. I put that in the ad. His friend explained to him the cost of fixing it. His friend (who clearly had mechanical knowledge) continued to give him advice about potential future costs. 

In total he spent around an hour inspecting and test driving the car. I allowed him to do so. I told him that my mechanic said given it’s age and mileage it was one of the best range rovers he had seen. This made me confident in selling it.  I’ve attached the message  it was sent a few hours before the buyer came to look at the vehicle  

I’m unsure what to do. Any advice will be much appreciated. 

BOWFER

Perfectly simple, you tell him to go away.
What the hell does he expect in a 15 year old car for three grand, nothing to be wrong?
Steering didn't "wobble" during his test drive, how do you know he's not smacked a kerb?
Far from worrying about him coming back to me, he'd be lucky I didn't go to him first with a big torque wrench to shove right up his....
Cheeky twit

Stubod

It's a vehicle passed its normal "end of life" (13 yrs average life of a car), so not sure what their expectations are,

..either ignore them, or politely tell them to do one as they have absolutely no comeback...

AdrianC

15yo 160k car... 5% of the price of a new one... Private sale...

Several MOT fail items, which he was aware of before sale...

He can jog right on. Do not reply. Block his number.

Cisco001

I believe any private sale car is 'sold as seen' ??

Oneye12

Second that above - sold as seen {and closely inspected according to you by his buddy}.

He has broken the steering - shame. Tell him you'll see him in court.
It would be small claims / or modern equivalent; but you are most likely receiving hot air.

Nobbie1967

Cisco001 said:

I believe any private sale car is 'sold as seen' ??

Not quite, anything you state about the vehicle must be accurate or the buyer will have some comeback.

[Deleted User]

Thanks everyone. 

I sent him a reply saying I made no misrepresentation. I advised that his friend continually pointed out issues which may require attention in the future and he still continued to buy it.  I couldn’t comment on what his friend was saying as I’m not a mechanic. 

The car drives fine and that’s the only thing I said on the matter - because it does. He is saying I hid all the issues. 

DB1904

[Deleted User] said:

Thanks everyone. 

I sent him a reply saying I made no misrepresentation. I advised that his friend continually pointed out issues which may require attention in the future and he still continued to buy it.  I couldn’t comment on what his friend was saying as I’m not a mechanic. 

The car drives fine and that’s the only thing I said on the matter - because it does. He is saying I hid all the issues. 

But you knowingly sold and unroadworthy vehicle. 

Clive_Woody

DB1904 said:

[Deleted User] said:

Thanks everyone. 

I sent him a reply saying I made no misrepresentation. I advised that his friend continually pointed out issues which may require attention in the future and he still continued to buy it.  I couldn’t comment on what his friend was saying as I’m not a mechanic. 

The car drives fine and that’s the only thing I said on the matter - because it does. He is saying I hid all the issues. 

But you knowingly sold and unroadworthy vehicle. 

The buyer was fully aware of the condition of the car based on their extensive inspection. Nothing illegal about selling a car for spares or repairs.

[Deleted User]

DB1904 said:

[Deleted User] said:

Thanks everyone. 

I sent him a reply saying I made no misrepresentation. I advised that his friend continually pointed out issues which may require attention in the future and he still continued to buy it.  I couldn’t comment on what his friend was saying as I’m not a mechanic. 

The car drives fine and that’s the only thing I said on the matter - because it does. He is saying I hid all the issues. 

But you knowingly sold and unroadworthy vehicle. 

No I never? I listed the car has “it drives fine” which it does. What was unroadworthy about it?