What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Sub standard

Some 3 weeks ago I bought a 2000W Subaru Forester Turbo S. When we saw it the car was "unprepped" having just been taken in. We had a test drive and were interested. The only small problem was it was hunting on tickover (revs going from 800 to 1,200 on idle) he said this was normal or maybe because it needed servicing. The car dealer (small garage-about 40 cars for sale) said we could have it as it was at £2,000 but he would put a new MOT on it. (He is an MOT station, so he did the MOT) or they would do full service and spray over the bumpers which are scratched with a few dents, and generally tidy it up, and it would be "about £2,995"). According to Parkers guide it was worth about £1,500-£1,700. He would not budge on £2,000, so reluctantly we bought it at that price, with new MOT. We then had it fully serviced, all filters, brakes and plugs. Last week for the first time I took a rear passenger and heard a knocking. My local chap says he thinks a rear shock absorber has failed (no sign of leakage). I phoned the seller. “Not interested,” he said. “It was a trade sale" and he has nor responsibility. I do not accept this. The price reflects retail and no mention on the invoice of "trade sale". What constitutes a trade sale? I said if I had paid £1,000 it might be trade but not at £2,000. He has offered to re MOT it and if it fails he will put it right. I said what happens if it passes but the shock still needs doing, he said he won't do it as it was a "trade sale".

Asked on 1 August 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
The book said £2,750 retail, £1,275 trade, so it was not a trade sale. He has to fix the faults or take the car back and give you your money back. He has to be given that choice.
Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
    Select a few terms below
Similar questions
On Saturday, 6th March, I bought a 2001 'Y' reg VW Polo with 1.4 16v engine and 59k miles on it, from a fairly local dealer. I paid £2,700. On the Monday, I 'phoned the dealer to check when the timing...
Further to the recent letter from P.W., of Dyserth that drew attention to the possible risks of buying a car when the vendor is not in the UK, I'd like to also draw attention to the risks faced when the...
On the 16th of March I went to see and test drive a Nissan at the West-Way Garage Stourbridge. My daughter test drove a Nissan Micra Visia. As it did not have air conditioning we were keen to buy a Micra...
Related models
Good compromise between a station wagon and an SUV. Now available with 2.0 litre chain cam 'boxer' diesel engine.