help needed getting my money back fro dealer?

Question

I bought a used car off a dealer the car was on a online auction site for £799 so i arranged to go and view the car up on getting there i looked round the car and from the odd age related dent and couple of minor jobs that needed doing everything else seemed fine. I took the car for a test drive and again everything seem ok so i made him a offer of £650 taking into account the few jobs that needed doing dealer accepted my offer

Then come day after i bought the car had a really baad clunking nosie coming from the engine area so i took the car to the nearest car mechanic who informed me that the gearbox, clutch and head gasket were on their way out i then left to return home to phone the dealer back when the gearbox went on the car

I phoned the dealer back when i got home from being recovered in which he told me the car was sold as seen and it was not his problem i believe that these faults were on the car when i bought it but he didn't list it with any problems

I now don't have the funds to get the car repaired and the dealer will not return any of my calls do i apppoch the dealer face to face or take legal action i have already set a letter asking for a refund

i really need some advice on this

also i have now found out that this is not the first time that this dealer has sold a car thats not fit to be on the road

Answer 1

Why are you asking a question if you already know the answer? Your additional detail section quotes the law very specifically, so now you just need to get the consumer affairs dept to help you pursue the dealer. Make sure all of your contacts with the dealer from now on are in writing so you can prove your timely actions in case you have to go to court. Good Luck

Answer 2

They have no liability to you. You should have had the mechanic check it before you bought.



No way dealers can guarantee this kind of stuff. Dealers are scammed every day by people. What happens if you bought the car, took it home and pulled the good motor out, put your crappy one back in it and the next day you demanded your money back.



I had people take a car on a test drive and steal a battery.

Answer 3

You have rights under the 'Sale of Goods Act', which state that items must be 'of merchantable quality'. Speak to your local Trading Standards dept. asap and they will advise you. Dealers are subject to the provisions of the Act, whereas private sellers are not.

Answer 4

In the US, I'd persue this as Fraud: seller knew or should have know being a professional, the probs and concealed them from you.



Fraud is good grounds for a lawsuit and in the US one place I'd persue it would be in small claims court.



Get as much documentation as you can on this, like a statement from the shop that found the probs; maybe an affadavit.



I understand the UK has better consumer protection than the US, so I'd use those agencies.