I bought a car recently for my son. I did a lot of research and decided a reasonable budget for a second hand MINI Cooper. I found the car via an online auction website and exchanged emails with the seller about the condition.

I picked up the car and drove it back to my son (around 200 miles). However, by this time it had developed 'a chugging', and choked in-gear. I booked it into a BMW specialist but the engine management light had come on, and by the time I got to the garage, smoke was coming out of the engine.

Ultimately the BMW specialise tried various repairs, but we ended up having to replace the engine. So I bought the car for £3000, and then paid £2500 on repairs. Do I stand a chance in the small claims court?