Rights when buying from a private seller
I bought a car on Saturday and it was described at 57,000 miles and that it had had ‘very light rear end damage.' It was obvious when I got there that it was fixed to a high standard!
I got it home and decided to check the logbook numbers on VOSA and it came back that it was cat C and needed a VIC check!
Also the MOT from last year said it had done 93000 miles! So there's some illegal clocking going on here too!
Also, when hes put everything together, the battery isn't sitting right in the boot and when you put the car in reverse the fog lights come on.
I have approached the man that sold me the car, who it turns out is pretending to be a private seller to dodge the tax man.
And he told me if I wasn't happy with it to sell it myself!
I now have a car that I can't even sell as I am not the registerd keeper, and I'm not the type of person to want to sell a heap of junk - I've got a conscience!
I could really do with your help on this one. I've never been this frustrated!
Do I call the police? He's already been reported to the office of fair trading, but that doesn't seem to bother him!
I got it home and decided to check the logbook numbers on VOSA and it came back that it was cat C and needed a VIC check!
Also the MOT from last year said it had done 93000 miles! So there's some illegal clocking going on here too!
Also, when hes put everything together, the battery isn't sitting right in the boot and when you put the car in reverse the fog lights come on.
I have approached the man that sold me the car, who it turns out is pretending to be a private seller to dodge the tax man.
And he told me if I wasn't happy with it to sell it myself!
I now have a car that I can't even sell as I am not the registerd keeper, and I'm not the type of person to want to sell a heap of junk - I've got a conscience!
I could really do with your help on this one. I've never been this frustrated!
Do I call the police? He's already been reported to the office of fair trading, but that doesn't seem to bother him!
Asked on 22 November 2011 by jaz123
Answered by
Honest John
If the vehicle is not roadworthy you can successfully sue for your money back. Otherwise you have very limited rights against a private seller. Obviously full rights if he is really a trader posing as a private seller.
Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.
Honest Used Car Prices
From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.
Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....
Dear Honest John,
Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
Similar questions
I bought a used car privately and it developed a fault when I drove it home, can I do anything about it?
If you buy a car privately which then breaks down after 76 miles and needs a new clutch and driveshaft, do you have any legal recourse against the seller?
I'm buying a secondhand Dacia (two year old) from a private seller. He says that it has five years warranty left from an original seven. How can I check that this is true?
.jpg)
