I was sold a unroadworthy used car by a private seller

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6653389/i-was-sold-a-unroadworthy-used-car-by-a-private-seller

You have virtually no rights.

If the inspection report says "front and rear brake pad issues and seized caliper" why does your final sentence also refer to tyre cords exposed? Regardless, you could have seen tyre cords exposed when you purchased or could have kerbed the car on the way home resulting in that outcome.

Buy new tyres.

Pay to get the brakes fixed

You don't have to pay main dealer prices but can chose to go elsewhere.

PTP123

If I was the seller I'd tell you to jog on. You're delusional if you think you can take it to a main dealer after and then complain.

By the way, the main dealers will be making up work.

paul_c123

Whenever I've sold cars, buyers:

1. Open the door and look at how clean inside it is
2. Look in detail at the tyres, discs and pads
3. Ask about when the cambelt was last changed (even if it has a cam chain)
4. Spend 5 minutes trying to open the bonnet, then look at the engine bay in bewilderment because they don't know anything about engines

Did you not do (2)?

Herzlos

Is it actually unroadworthy or is the dealership trying to upsell you?

Needing new brake pads and a caliber are definitely things to address but normal wear and tear and should have been obvious on the test drive.
Is there also a tyre with an exposed cord or is that an example?

What's the actual, full list of faults?

I'd be inclined to take it to your local grubby garage for an inspection to see what they say first, it might not be that bad.

chrisw

if all the main dealer has found is discs and pads then it would appear that you have actually purchased a sound used car. Get them replaced and move on.

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81866677#Comment_81866677

I always do number 4 now, due to buying a car without one, luckily enough it had a spare one in the boot.

jimjames

I bought a car from a main dealer. Took the car to a different branch for an inspection related to a fault and they also did a check for me reporting that the brake pads were 90% worn front and back. The car has done around 1000 miles since last MOT and since it was sold, nothing was mentioned in either case so I suspect upselling.

Ectophile

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81866334#Comment_81866334

I think I should point out Section 75 of the Road Traffic Act, which begins:

"Subject to the provisions of this section no person shall supply a motor vehicle or trailer in an unroadworthy condition."

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/75

Notice that this says nothing about whether the seller is a dealer or private seller. It is an offence to sell an unroadworthy vehicle, unless the buyer knows it is unroadworthy and won't attempt to drive it until it's fixed.

Proving that it was unroadworthy in court is another matter.

paul_c123

OP can't prove it was unroadworthy at time of sale, only that it was unroadworthy when it was inspected at the main dealer they took it to. Also, what are "brake pad issues"?

Aretnap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81867964#Comment_81867964

That is of course no help at all to the OP in terms of getting any of his money back and it gives him no additional consumer rights - note subsection 7.

I suppose if he was feeling vindictive he could always report the seller to the policy, though they will almost certainly not be interested.