What should I do - fraud ???

Azvex

Hi folks!

Shocking day for me today. Just wanted to sell my car - buyer (cargiant) informed me that car has been involved in car accident and has cat-s (?!?!).

I bought this car on 17th June 2019 throughout autotrader, and done HPI (Autotrader / Experian) full check which came "all clear".

Seller (private) denied any issues / accidents - I have asked about it.

Car has been written of on 19th January 2019.

What I can do now? Is it possible that insurer hided this fact, or Experian & Autotrader are not reliable? Or car history has been updated too late (after purchase) ???
Thanks all!

DullGreyGuy

Second thread this week on people saying buyer has found a prior total loss.

Have you checked for yourself that there is now a total loss marker?

What benefit would there be for an insurer to hide it? It may take a little while to add them to HPI and different companies will have different processes as to when they decide to do the load. There was an issue previously but it should predate your vehicle https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/106336/exclusive-the-great-british-car-insurance-write-off-scandal-insurers-work-with-dvla 

Grumpy_chap

Azvex said:

Hi folks!

Shocking day for me today. Just wanted to sell my car - buyer (cargiant) informed me that car has been involved in car accident and has cat-s (?!?!).

I bought this car on 17th June 2019 throughout autotrader, and done HPI (Autotrader / Experian) full check which came "all clear".

Seller (private) denied any issues / accidents - I have asked about it.

Car has been written of on 19th January 2019.

What I can do now? Is it possible that insurer hided this fact, or Experian & Autotrader are not reliable? Or car history has been updated too late (after purchase) ???
Thanks all!

Jack

Sometimes the HPI-type services have a form of cover in place when paying for the vehicle check.  That has to be worth investigating whether there is any cover in place and what the terms of that cover would support by way of remedy.

The remedy is the difference between the price offered £X and the lower price £y with damage marker.

Given the dates, it is likely the seller knew at the time of sale.  Unless there was something in writing, evidence in the advert (which you kept all this time?), you would come down to "he said, she said".  You may, legally, have a case against the seller but, private seller three years ago - practical prospects of any recovery against the seller are slim.

Next step is probably to run the HPI check again to see whether there is now a marker and when that marker event applies to.  It is possible that the Dealer entered the incorrect details and got the incorrect information, so verifying that has to be your first step.

Herzlos

First I'd do a fresh HPI to confirm that they've checked the correct car. I suspect that's the most likely thing to have happened.

If the HPI says that it's been written off, then I'd book it in with a local garage to see if they can see any evidence of damage and repair

Where did you buy the car from? A large dealership, small independent, or private seller?

Larger dealerships are less likely to sell repaired write offs, because it's not worth the hassle. A smaller independent with a garage attached to it is more likely to buy damaged stock and repair them to sell (hopefully well).

What's the car? How much was it worth in 2019?

Grumpy_chap

The OP seems to be in a pretty rotten situation.

Can't make a claim against the seller as the seller is no more.
Was any of the purchase price via credit card (deposit)?  I am not sure about time limits, but could S75 be an option?

The two-years that the car check offers as cover has passed and I doubt that there is a consumer rights situation that forces them to carry liability for longer than the insurance-policy they allow for.  This might be an area to look into but my quick internet search did not reveal helpful information.

Car was purchased for £10k in 2019 for 3 yo "premium" brand car - that seems competitive to me.
What is the loss now for the status marker - the difference between Cargiant purchase price without the marker and with the marker?

It is rubbish to be in this situation, but I fear this could be a case where the OP ends up taking a hit.

Herzlos

Azvex said:

This is HPI which I done today: https:// fullcarchecks.co.uk/report/?number=RO16VHL-CDYIRHV#salvagehistory
And unfortunately that's my car...
Uh what a Monday...

That looks like odd but pretty light damage, so at least you know the car is safe. Though I'm surprised it was written off like that.

It looks like your usual avenues are unavailable, so you may just need to take the hit on the trade in price. What's the difference you're being offered with/without the cat S?

Also, you presumably should check with your insurer that they know it's been previously written off.

Money_Grabber13579

Herzlos said:

Azvex said:

This is HPI which I done today: https:// fullcarchecks.co.uk/report/?number=RO16VHL-CDYIRHV#salvagehistory
And unfortunately that's my car...
Uh what a Monday...

That looks like odd but pretty light damage, so at least you know the car is safe. Though I'm surprised it was written off like that.

It looks like your usual avenues are unavailable, so you may just need to take the hit on the trade in price. What's the difference you're being offered with/without the cat S?

Also, you presumably should check with your insurer that they know it's been previously written off.

Would the fact that Infiniti announced they were pulling out of Europe around that time have any bearing in the decision to write it off? Maybe spare parts to repair could easily be obtained? 

Although, there is pretty extensive damage to the back and some damage to the front but doesn’t look consistent with a pile up or having been rolled. Hard to know what has happened with it.

motorguy

Azvex said:

Herzlos 

Unfortunately approx. £4500 less - so WBAC offered 3k

WBAC arent the place to sell Cat S cars to.

I'd advertise it privately.  Have an AA check done in the meantime if you want the reassurance.

You wont be out the £4.5K.

Other option is maybe to keep the car?  Simply dont change it for a few more years until the value difference becomes negligable.

Grumpy_chap

Azvex said:

Unfortunately approx. £4500 less - so WBAC offered 3k

If I read that correctly, you are saying that with the Cat-S marker, the car trade in value is £3k.
Without the marker, the trade in value is £7.5k.
The car was purchased in 2019 for £10k.

Did you pay any of the car purchase price (deposit) on credit card?  If so, check whether an S75 is possible - may not be if there is a time limit.

Did you enquire of the original car check whether you can claim on their inaccurate data?  Got to be worth an enquiry for £4.5k even if you suspect the time for that is passed.

motorguy

Azvex said:

Grumpy_chap

1. Did you pay any of the car purchase price (deposit) on credit card?  If so, check whether an S75 is possible - may not be if there is a time limit.
 
2. Did you enquire of the original car check whether you can claim on their inaccurate data?  Got to be worth an enquiry for £4.5k even if you suspect the time for that is passed.

1. I have done £200 cash deposit and rest £ as a bank transfer (debit card).
2. I am waiting for autotrader to investigate case which will take 1-2 working days more and then will let you know as well.


Just question about "car dealer"  - this is the one
https:// find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/e91BuKZe8Mqxin-rgmOcRJ4vNh0/appointments

Have a look at his history - opening and dissolving companies every few years.....strange luck?
- is there any chance to held him to account / liability - even if company doesn't exist anymore ?



motorguy - could be good idea. In my case - I have other car using now, and can not afford to pay for insurance / tax /wear&tear of this one.

I'd advertise it privately then.  You might be surprised what you get for it.

Azvex

Grumpy_chap

Azvex said:

Unfortunately approx. £4500 less - so WBAC offered 3k

I have done £200 cash deposit and rest £ as a bank transfer (debit card)

Just question about dealer"