I sold a car privately months ago and now I’m getting stick about it.

CosworthRichie

Hi everyone,  looking for advice on a car I sold 5 months ago, I’ll get right to it, so I sold a 2007 Ford focus ST in The beginning of January of this year, I was sat down watching tv last night 4th June,  and I got an abusive txt through from the daughter of the person who bought the car from me, saying the head gasket had gone pop, and that I ripped off her parents🤦🏻‍♂️

So I replied in a very calm manner and asked what had happened etc, she still went mental at me, I basically couldn’t get her to calm down and actually tell me what has happened, she said that I had told them that the engine was new and that I was a !!!!!! taker, I was actually going to take a screenshot of the original listing to send to her but she sent a screen shot of it to me, I said please tell me where it says new engine, it doesn’t, I purchased the car last year with a head gasket fault and had a local engineering firm completely overhaul the head etc, and I refitted the engine, new parts throughout on an original engine, not new engine, she then says the head blew dangerously, I explained that a cylinder head can’t just go pop after 5 months of use for no reason unless it has been abused and that the fluids haven’t been checked or there’s possibly been a split pipe or radiator, and it had been driven with no coolant, i asked her how can I be blamed for the head going after this length of time🤷🏻‍♂️?
the family who bought the car signed a receipt, I found a generic one from the internet an AA one, I had a local garage put 12 months MOT on it the day they collected the car, what more could I have done? Now she says they’re going to take me to small claims court and get there money back, how is that even fair?

user1977

She won't. I mean, she can't anyway, given it wasn't even her who bought it from you. But I can't see that the buyer has a case. Just ignore them, unless they do actually start a small claim.

Brie

It sounds more unfortunate than unfair.  And for the buyer as long as the description was accurate.

Others will be along shortly but my take is that you have no idea what they have done with the car in 5 months and it's been fine so it's all down to them to sort out.  

Just ensure you have good records of everything tucked away safely in case they do decide to proceed.  (unlikely I think)

HampshireH

You sold to someone that isn't this person. They were quite capable of signing /purchasing I am sure they are more than capable of getting in touch should they feel that is appropriate.

If she is being rude and abusive I would block her number.

Keep all your paperwork. 

CosworthRichie

Thanks for the reply’s everyone, luckily I have all receipts and paperwork, and most importantly the receipt the father signed to say he was happy with the car and that I was basically selling a sound car with 12 months mot on it, as requested by them before they purchased the car, i can sympathise with them, horrible things have happened to me before, I’ve had a cambelt snap on the way home before, but I’ve never gone moaning back to the previous owner as it’s a second hand car and I signed a receipt to say I was happy. but as it was said above who knows how the car has been treated in these last 5 months.

The_Fat_Controller

Do not engage in any further contact.

Block them if necessary.

It was a private sale, they have no rights unless you withheld relevant information.
 

CosworthRichie

The_Fat_Controller said:

Do not engage in any further contact.

Block them if necessary.

It was a private sale, they have no rights unless you withheld relevant information.
 

No information was with held, full service history and receipts to back everything up and we agreed that I would put 12 months MOT on it as I couldn’t give any warranty on the car as I’m not a dealer. I think I have gone above and beyond to do what’s right, it’s just very unfortunate that the head gasket has gone again now.

fatbelly

As above, but if you do get a court claim you should acknowledge service online and that gives 28 days to put in a defence.

They'd be stupid to waste money on it IMO

Before you block her just say that any claim will be robustly defended.

Maskface

Point out that as the sale was not with her you will not enter into any further discussion with her, then block her and wait to see if they do make a claim and go from there. People who get all abusive this early on in a dispute don't usually have a clue how to make an effective claim through official channels.

Norman_Castle

Was the car bought for the daughter? Sounds like a spoilt brat.

CosworthRichie

No, she found it for sale on Facebook for her parents.