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

shiraz99

Gavin83 said:

If a car dealer sells their own personal vehicle (assume one they’ve owned for a number of years and driven themselves) are they considered a dealer or a private seller? Does being a car dealer by trade mean you can never sell your own vehicles privately?

Certainly having a motor related business doesn’t make you a car dealer.

OP, how many cars would you say you sell a year?

A private seller. You'd only be classed as acting in your capacity as a trader/dealer if you sell car that what was bought and sold for the sole purpose of generating an income.

Maskface

There must surely be a definition of dealer? 

CosworthRichie

I’ve sold 2 cars in the last 15 months, and I’ve even had them sat in my garage for months before they were sold, hardly a second hand car dealer, but I can see where some of you may be coming from, still, I’m not registered as a dealer. 

shiraz99

CosworthRichie said:

I’ve sold 2 cars in the last 15 months, and I’ve even had them sat in my garage for months before they were sold, hardly a second hand car dealer, but I can see where some of you may be coming from, still, I’m not registered as a dealer. 

You don't have to be, if you bought these cars simply as a means to make money rather than solely for your own personal use then you can be classed as a trader.

m0bov

Oh dear, I hope the people pursuing you don't find the old ads of the other cars you've traded, I mean sold. You could also be chased by Inland Revenue, Council, planning.............

400ixl

Maskface said:

There must surely be a definition of dealer? 

There is. Someone who buys and sells cars with the intention to profit. Can be 1 or 100 cars, they don't restrict the number.

There are times where you wouldn't be classed as a dealer such as buying a classic car and using in for personal use and selling it sometime later where the vehicle has naturally appreciated in value as the original intention was not to buy it for profit.

RogerBareford

CosworthRichie said:

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.

CosworthRichie said:

I’ve sold 2 cars in the last 15 months, and I’ve even had them sat in my garage for months before they were sold, hardly a second hand car dealer, but I can see where some of you may be coming from, still, I’m not registered as a dealer. 

Only selling a couple of cars doesn't mean you can't be a dealer. Your buying cars cheap to do up and then sell at a profit which sounds exactly like a dealer to me.

It seems like you want all the benefits of being a dealer (i.e. selling cars for a profit) but avoid all the downfall but not having to provide any kind of warranty or consumer rights. Your walking a very fine line here and your slightly on the dodgy side in my opinion.

400ixl

CosworthRichie said:

I’ve sold 2 cars in the last 15 months, and I’ve even had them sat in my garage for months before they were sold, hardly a second hand car dealer, but I can see where some of you may be coming from, still, I’m not registered as a dealer. 

They could still believe you are and take their case to the small claims court for the court to decide whether you are or not.

How likely are they to be able to find evidence that you have sold cars on a regular basis? If they can't and don't know any associates of yours who would suggest you have, then you should be fairly safe from them putting 2+2 together.

You now know you are technically a dealer should you continue to buy cars to sell for a profit, so need to be mindful of that fact for the future.

Back to the original topic, have you had any more contact from the buyers daughter?

diystarter7

Maskface said:

There must surely be a definition of dealer? 

Yes, as per my previous post.

CosworthRichie

400ixl said:

CosworthRichie said:

I’ve sold 2 cars in the last 15 months, and I’ve even had them sat in my garage for months before they were sold, hardly a second hand car dealer, but I can see where some of you may be coming from, still, I’m not registered as a dealer. 

They could still believe you are and take their case to the small claims court for the court to decide whether you are or not.

How likely are they to be able to find evidence that you have sold cars on a regular basis? If they can't and don't know any associates of yours who would suggest you have, then you should be fairly safe from them putting 2+2 together.

You now know you are technically a dealer should you continue to buy cars to sell for a profit, so need to be mindful of that fact for the future.

Back to the original topic, have you had any more contact from the buyers daughter?

No more contact as of yet.