I sold my van now he wants money off

kitch85

So I put my Vauxhall combo up for sale last sunday at approx 16:00 for £3990 it had done 85k and never been used as a builders van so was in vgc.
By 19:00 I had 10 people asking about it wanting to book a viewing etc, in amongst that was a guy via gumtree who was very interested in the van, he was scared of it going b4 he could see it so cam that night at about 20:30 he looked all round the van and test drove it and he was happy, during the test drive I told him that the only problem we had was the dpf filter gets block because its was only ever used on shorts journeys.
His reply was he was going to delete it.
I knocked 390 off the price during negotiations as an offset for what he wanted to get done to the dpf etc..
He left a deposit and collected the van three days later.
He text me at 23:30 whilst he was driving home and tells me the smoke was unreal he engine light was on,
 I was in bed so didnt reply until the next morning at about 05:00 and I said I dont think the engine light has ever come on b4.
I get another text at 09:27 saying it would pass an emissions test then sends me a paragraph of legal info copied from an american website about selling a car and emissions etc..

The next day he says it's with his mechanic who I found out he is friends with on fb and that the dpf is blocked  the clutch is on way out and the turbo is leaking 

I offered him 500 back for the turbo because I did my research and they can cause a van to smoke but I wont be paying for the clutch or dpf

I ask for proof that I don't get until another day later by this time I'm suspicious, the next day he asks to return the van 

My reply was he should of brought it straight back to me and not taken it to a mechanic because I now have no idea what this mechanic has or hasnt done and therefore has assumed responsibility for the van and I could not accept it back

He then tells me he will see me in court.

Should I worry ?

Advocado

You should worry you offered to give him back £500. 

It's a used van bought privately with no warranty.  You owe him nothing.  It's done 85k miles so it's bound to have problems or not be too far away from a problem. 

So long as you were honest up to the sale, court isn't a threat.  He's not got a leg to stand on.

kitch85

I gave him the Benefit of the doubt and offered 500 towards the turbo as a good will gesture and I dont mind paying that if it helps but I'm not paying for the dpf because he knew there could be an issue and I'm not paying for the clutch because he test drove the van and never mentioned the bite point etc...

I also do not want the van back now because I dont know what's been done to it, my friends have told me I'm being too nice lol 

TonyMMM

kitch85 said:

 I dont know what's been done to it, my friends have told me I'm being too nice lol 

You are ....they have no comeback - you're being played, it is a standard ploy to get more money off by some vehicle buyers at the moment. 

BOWFER

The guy is a chancer.
At least he's more creative than the Russian guy I bought a motorbike off once.
As soon as I got home with the bike in the back of my van, he called to say "you give me £50 more...is Russian way"
Haha. yeah, right!

Stubod

????? just either ignore or tell them to do one.....and say you will be happy to see them in court as it will never happen. You should not have offered them anything back.

Private sale, Caveat emptor....

sheramber

I hope you haven't given him £500.

You have no proof of there being anything wrong with the van, especially is the mechanic involved is a friend.

Block his phone number.

Clive_Woody

I am no lawyer, but my advice would be to tell him to "do one".....or simply block him and ignore him. He's not going to court, he might go as far as sending a letter before action but he would have no chance in court. Do not give him £500.

walwyn1978

Block his number. Delete his emails. Don’t respond or give him any money. Don’t engage. You have done nothing wrong. He’s probably doing this because you have already taken money off/offered more money so he’s hoping you’re a soft touch 

kitch85

I have received court papers and u have replied online with my defence plus all evidence I have of him being friends with the mechanic and all the correspondence,
He emailed a few days later saying he was going to get a second mechanism opinion, but he would accept £700 back and close the case 

kitch85

Sorry edit " and I have replied"  and   " second mechanics opinion"