A reconditioned car part off ebay has led to a hefty repair bill. Where do I stand?

Ken2000

I suspect I know the answer to this, but I needed to replace a high pressure fuel pump on my van and was told by my garage that if I were to supply the part, they would fit it. The part through them was going to cost quite a bit. I bought a reconditioned high pressure fuel pump from an Ebay seller, who supposedly specialises in such things. He has his own website etc. However, within days of it being fitted, the van broke down and it turned out that a component on the reconditioned pump had worn down, sending metal filings throughout the fuel system of the van, leading to very costly repairs (and a new fuel pump). I'm hoping, at the very least, for a refund for the pump I bought off ebay, but that really only covers a fraction of the costs of having that pump fitted, car hire (as my van was off the road), a second pump & replacement of injectors, fuel rail etc.

Would I be entitled to anything, or is it just one of those tough lessons in life?  After telling the seller the costs I've incurred, he's been quick to point out that he's not responsible for any of these costs.

DullGreyGuy

The problem of splitting supply and fitting is you get torn between two parties both saying it was the others fault. 

Is this a personal van as you've a hobby of motocross or a work vehicle?

What is the seller offering? Seems they aren't considering they are liable for the whole cost but have they offered a refund of the at least the pump and/or its fitting? 

molerat

You would need an independent report, truly independent and not the fitting garage, stating that the reconditioned pump itself was the cause of the breakdown / damage and not the fitting or other external factors then issue a letter before action for the costs of the repair to the supplier.

Ken2000

DullGreyGuy said:

The problem of splitting supply and fitting is you get torn between two parties both saying it was the others fault. 

Is this a personal van as you've a hobby of motocross or a work vehicle?

What is the seller offering? Seems they aren't considering they are liable for the whole cost but have they offered a refund of the at least the pump and/or its fitting? 

It's a personal van and the seller is offering a refund for the pump, although I did get Ebay involved, which may have helped with the seller offering a refund. I suspect that the seller could try and wriggle out of refunding me... 

Ken2000

molerat said:

You would need an independent report, truly independent and not the fitting garage, stating that the reconditioned pump itself was the cause of the breakdown / damage and not the fitting or other external factors then issue a letter before action for the costs of the repair to the supplier.

Thanks. That sounds like a fairly expensive process and I'm not even sure where to start with that.