Used Car Scam

Toast299

Hello all,

I bought a used car from a private seller that had a fresh MOT on it. 

By the time I got the car home, the engine light had come on. The very same week of purchase, I noticed some serious misfires. 

The mechanic I've taken it to said there's no way the car should have passed its MOT and it had been tampered with in order to hide the issues. They've had to pull out the ECU, get an auto electrician in, change fuel injectors amongst other things. In repairs I'm already looking at £1000+. 

I've made multiple attempts to contact him but each time I tried he would say he was busy, would call me back and that he doesn't speak good English (I think he's Romanian). He's also hiding behind his belief he sold the car on his sister's behalf. I paid £2500 for the car via bank transfer so I have his name but of course, he's now blocked me on all channels.

I have his name, facebook page including profile pic, and screenshots of our conversations. Also, he stated categorically in writing that the only issue with the car was it needed a new headlight bulb. 

I'm a struggling student and needed this car to get to my placements.  

Is there any possible recourse here?

Thanks

knightstyle

Private sale means no comeback unless you can prove the seller made false claims in the advert or in person.

Herzlos

It's unlikely a private buyer would be able to able to get a car through an MOT like that.

If you suspect a dodgy MOT then you can report that to (I think) VOSA.

Have you searched for the sellers phone number to see if he's got multiple adverts? Or get someone else to phone him and ask about the car that's for sale. If you can prove he's a dealer, then in theory you've got more rights but given he's hiding it even if you do that he'll be a nightmare.

photome

The MOT doesnt cover the condition of the engine AFAIK

Aretnap

photome said:

The MOT doesnt cover the condition of the engine AFAIK

An engine management light that's on will certainly cause a car to fail an MOT, though it may or may not have been in at the time of the MOT of course.

Savvytrier

photome said:

The MOT doesnt cover the condition of the engine AFAIK

How long have you owned the car? And when was the last mot ?

Have you seen the mot history? Download a free app called vehicle smart , input your reg and see, 

Key items to look for a time elapsed between failure mot and pass mot, as is the mileage ,

Any current themes with the failures/advisories?

I seen a car advertised this week, failed and mot at 12.59pm 22 nd feb 2021..about 7 items

Voila at 12.59pm 22nd Feb 2021, passed with No advisories...

People are getting desperate for money and will say, do anything for quick cash 

jimjames

Aretnap said:

photome said:

The MOT doesnt cover the condition of the engine AFAIK

An engine management light that's on will certainly cause a car to fail an MOT, though it may or may not have been in at the time of the MOT of course.

Easy to turn off an EML for an MOT and it come back later. Even done that myself to get my own car to pass before fixing. 

MOT only covers the car as inspected at that time, any fault could develop after leaving or a dodgy dealer could put a set of tyres on that pass and swap once they've taken the car away. 

Toast299 said:

Hello all,
I bought a used car from a private seller that had a fresh MOT on it. 
Is there any possible recourse here?

Worth checking if that profile has more cars for sale but sadly it's a classic line that they're selling the car for someone else if they're actually dealing in cars. Even if you can prove it trying to get any money back will be very, very difficult.

born_again

Gert MOT History from Gov website.

https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

Stateofart

I think you need to chalk it up to a bad deal.  Private sale is pretty much sold as seen.  You tested it, it worked then, you're stuck with it.  If I was the buyer and someone came to me afterwards, I'd be reluctant to get involved, you could have trashed it yourself with your driving style, wrecked the clutch as well, hit pot holes everything.  MOT is only really saying the car is roadworthy on a particular day.