Sold a Cat A/B car - dealer will not refund

Jojorich

I purchased a Ford Galaxy Zetec TDCi Auto (EK63KZO) from a used car dealer in Kent. It was advertised as a Category S vehicle. After applying for the V5C, DVLA confirmed it is actually Category A/B—meaning it should have been scrapped and is not roadworthy. The seller refuses to refund me, despite this misrepresentation.

I viewed the car on 9 October 2025, paid a £500 deposit, and was told it would be MOT’d and serviced. I collected it on 14 October, paid the £2,295 balance, and taxed/insured it. That same day, I noticed a grinding noise from the front wheels. On 21 October, I received a DVLA letter confirming the car is Category A/B. I visited the seller and informed them of the noise. I was told the owner would contact me—he didn’t.

On 22 October, I called the seller, who said he’d “sort it.” No contact followed. Between 23–25 October, I emailed requesting a refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. He replied saying he’d only help “as a matter of goodwill” if I didn’t report him. I sent a formal refund demand, which was ignored.

On 30 October, DVLA refused road tax. The application was submitted before final payment and collection, proving the car was unroadworthy at sale. The seller claims the car was re-categorised after purchase and that the advert disclosed it was a write-off. I have proof it only said “subject to an insurance claim.” He also claims it’s not illegal to sell a Category B car, which is false. Category A/B vehicles must be dismantled and cannot be returned to road use.

I suffer from arthritis and COPD. I now have no legal transport and cannot afford a replacement. I’ve reported this to DVSA, Action Fraud, motoring ombudsman, the CAB (trading standards) and police.  Any advice would be great please

Isthisforreal99

Are they a sole trader or Ltd company.

Bit late now but that's why you get an HPI check when buying used.

MyRealNameToo

Jojorich said:

I purchased a Ford Galaxy Zetec TDCi Auto (EK63KZO) from a used car dealer in Kent. It was advertised as a Category S vehicle. After applying for the V5C, DVLA confirmed it is actually Category A/B—meaning it should have been scrapped and is not roadworthy. The seller refuses to refund me, despite this misrepresentation.

I viewed the car on 9 October 2025, paid a £500 deposit, and was told it would be MOT’d and serviced. I collected it on 14 October, paid the £2,295 balance, and taxed/insured it. That same day, I noticed a grinding noise from the front wheels. On 21 October, I received a DVLA letter confirming the car is Category A/B. I visited the seller and informed them of the noise. I was told the owner would contact me—he didn’t.

On 22 October, I called the seller, who said he’d “sort it.” No contact followed. Between 23–25 October, I emailed requesting a refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. He replied saying he’d only help “as a matter of goodwill” if I didn’t report him. I sent a formal refund demand, which was ignored.

On 30 October, DVLA refused road tax. The application was submitted before final payment and collection, proving the car was unroadworthy at sale. The seller claims the car was re-categorised after purchase and that the advert disclosed it was a write-off. I have proof it only said “subject to an insurance claim.” He also claims it’s not illegal to sell a Category B car, which is false. Category A/B vehicles must be dismantled and cannot be returned to road use.

I suffer from arthritis and COPD. I now have no legal transport and cannot afford a replacement. I’ve reported this to DVSA, Action Fraud, motoring ombudsman, the CAB (trading standards) and police.  Any advice would be great please

How did you pay for the car? 

Cat A or B cannot be returned to the road, but B can be broken for parts whereas A must be crushed. Most buying a whole cat B will need a breakers licence though you can retain a cat B technically as you then arent "buying" it and intermediaries with licences will facilitate the purchase and recovery of the parts then crush the remains

Grumpy_chap

Did you pay any of the cost on credit card?

m0bov

After 7 days of your LBA, start a small claims against him in the SCC. Costs £50. Did you put a deposit on a card? Only other way is to let the court get your money back. Make sure it's issued to the right entity. Don't hang around!

TELLIT01

Contact your bank, as selling that vehicle as roadworthy was presumably fraud.

Contact CAB, they may have other complaints about the same vendor.

GDB2222

Are you sure that the reg number is correct? 

Okell

Jojorich said:

... I received a DVLA letter confirming the car is Category A/B. I visited the seller and informed them of the noise. I was told the owner would contact me—he didn’t...

You refer to the "seller" and the "owner".

Some dealers sell cars on behalf of third parties.

Is the dealer and the "owner" the same person here, or was the dealer selling on behalf of someone else?

("person" could be either an individual or a company)

GDB2222

Okell said:

Jojorich said:

... I received a DVLA letter confirming the car is Category A/B. I visited the seller and informed them of the noise. I was told the owner would contact me—he didn’t...

You refer to the "seller" and the "owner".

Some dealers sell cars on behalf of third parties.

Is the dealer and the "owner" the same person here, or was the dealer selling on behalf of someone else?

("person" could be either an individual or a company)

I assumed that refers To the owner of the garage that sold the car.

I have little doubt that the op would win a court case, but really he has been defrauded and these days the banks have a lot of responsibility. 

born_again

TELLIT01 said:

Contact your bank, as selling that vehicle as roadworthy was presumably fraud.

Contact CAB, they may have other complaints about the same vendor.

Bank can not do anything about that.

Jojorich

Isthisforreal99 said:

Are they a sole trader or Ltd company.

Bit late now but that's why you get an HPI check when buying used.

Ltd  - the seller claimed all HPI checks were complete