July 2016
I purchased a car from a used car dealer, the dealer told me the car had failed its MOT due to a minor fault with the power steering. He told me that was the only thing wrong with the car. The money was exchanged and after this I had to sign an 'invoice' whereby the dealer said he was writing on the invoice that the car was 'unroadworthy' he said he was only using this term due to the power steering leak. He also forced my father to test drive the car on this same day as he said a fault with the power steering is not dangerous. The car was taken by my father to be MOT'd a few days later and it came to light the car was severely damaged with a long list of faults which the mechanic said would cost around £2500 to fix. We immediately contacted the dealer to advise them that I wanted to reject the car due to it being totally miss-sold. The dealer refused my right to reject and said the car was sold as seen. The price paid for the car was £2750 + £75 admin fee. The original advertised price was £3000, my dad agreed a reduced price to reflect the power steering fault that we were advised of. Obviously I would not have purchased this car and paid a high end price for it if I was advised of the true state it was in. The dealer said my mechanic was trying to 'rip me off' and I decided to take the car to a Toyota dealership as it is a Toyota MR2 and they are the experts. They estimated the car would cost £4500 to fix. I again contacted the dealer and advised him of this and he said I am wasting my time if I take him to court and he will counter claim costs of £700 for time and expert report on the car. He said I have 5 days to consider the following options ' He will buy back the car for £500 less than what I paid, or he will arrange for the car to be put through an MOT for £400 so that I will be able to sell it on (a dodgy mot)' He put pressure on me saying that I am wasting my time and as summer passes as the car is a convertible it will lose its value.
I want to know what my rights are and whether I would be able to get my money refunded if I proceed to court. In my opinion the car was advertised as a nice little convertible and I was only advised of a minor fault, it actually turns out they hadn't even put it through an MOT so they lied when they said that was 'the only thing it failed on' I purchased my first car off them 2 years prior and they were aware I wanted an upgrade to this car. The car looks nice on top but underneath it is so badly corroded and everything basically needs to be replaced. I have the failed MOT report and the mechanics report on the work that needs doing and it definitely isn't the picture the dealer sold to me! I have the original advert and I feel the price paid reflects and proves that I was only advised of this one fault. Please can someone give me some advice on my chances of getting the money back. I am aware that when purchasing an older car there will be signs of age and wear and tear but for £2750 you expect to be getting a decent vehicle (yes with a minor repair to be done) On the invoice the dealer only noted this power steering fault not the long list of major things that came to light. The car is a Toyota MR2 2002.
Here is what was stated in the original car advert:
"Here we are delighted to offer you our 2002 toyota mr2 AUTO SMT Roadster which has only covered a relatively low 75,533 genuine/warranted miles, fully hpi clear ***convertible toy ** desirable sought after colour; black, service history which constists of 7 service stamps ** currently + previously lady owned (logbook) ** comes with all your usual MR2 roadster refinements, comes with 12 months AA breakdowncover, must be seen to be appreciated, viewing is highly essential, to acquire this MR2 please call our friendly staff today on *** for further info "
Here is the outcome of the MOT: (please note I was only advised of the power steering leak NONE of these other dangerous things)
Battery failed requires replacement.
Clutch slipping requires replacement.
Near side front suspension arm corroded requires replacement.
Off side front suspension arm requires replacement.
All four brake disks corroded and pitted require replacement.
Rear brake calipers seized.
Brake pipes corroded require replacement.
Hand brake inoperative,
N/s electric window inoperative
Bulbs missing from rear brake light and tail lights both sides.
Power steering pipes corroded causing leakage, require replacement.
Extensive corrosion to vehicle and suspension components.
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hi my question is why are some cars worth more than others when there the same.
... Read more
Colour. Spec. Service history. Even down to the remaining tyre tread depth, and whether or not 'good' performance tyres are fitted, or cheap chinese ditchfinders.
Hi all,
I have the 1600cc GT Kent engine, 103000 miles.
Have previously had rock steady 40psi at anything over 1500rpm, with 25psi at tickover. No problems here.
Now, for no apparent reason on my last 4 days I have had a VARIABLE pressure of between 40 to 5psi for the first mile, then it settles at 40 for the rest of the journey.
The variation of pressure between 40 & 5 has a cycle of about 15 seconds - imagine a 'sine wave'
The revs have no bearing on the pressure during this first mile. Seems to be only varying with cold oil.
Today I stripped the oil pump. All good condition, rotor clearances were well within spec. The two pressure relief valves in the pump housing were flushed with petrol, their springs were sound. Put in fresh Valvoline 20w/50 and new filter and the problem still there.
I don't know what to check now, does anyone have any ideas please ??
Thought I might check the pump inlet's oil strainer in the sump. Does anyone know if the sump pan can be removed without raising the engine please?
Thanking you, Vinnie. Read more
At this point i'd not be happy until i had the sump off and checked that pick up filter for meself, it might still be caked in carbon.
Thanks for the update.
Hi all,
I drive long distances daily on the motorway at about 85-90MPH. I cover about 35k per year. I currently drive a 2008 VW passat 2.0TDI. Costs about £70-£75 to fill up and I achieve about 600 miles.
Looking at official mpg figures I could get a similar sized car with greatly improved mpg. Do you think these figures would show similar % improvements to what I am currently achieving when travelling at 90MPH? Read more
Why would you discuss fuel consumption with someone who can't be bothered to do a brim-to-brim calculation?
My daily workhorse Ford Fiesta was damaged while parked unattended on the street by a driver who reversed into the O/S/R door and ran off. Long story, I got some witnesses and reported the incident to my insurer, TP insurer and police.
TP denied fault at the time and their insurance asked for my evidence. Very rude insurers.... Read more
Exactly. However, people do sometimes post because they want to offload their concern and find out whatr other people think.
Unlike their lighter long-lasting all-aluminium competitors, I see Mercedes have attempted to catch up with bodies which are now a mixture of steel and aluminium. Does anyone know how they are able to prevent galvanic corrosion at the joins? Is there not a risk of hidden structural weakness beyond, say, ten years old? Read more
The rural French don't do "keeping up with the Joneses" with their cars, so if it keeps going they keep it - the annual expense is just fuel, maintenance and minimum legal insurance with the mot every two years, so it's cheap motoring.
That sounds almost like me, same Citroen for the last 15year and 4 months. Almost looks as good as the day I bought it, runs like a swiss clock. Why on earth would I want to spend loads of money changing it for something new? I'm sure my neighbours think I'm mad as they change their cars regularly but, I spend half of what their monthly payment is on my yearly servicing.
Hey guys got a 1999 x reg terrano 2.7td
It has ran great the month iv owned it but today I floored it. (Don't often do this) ... Read more
Thankyou for that. If I can find egr il dissabled it. There a problem waiting to happen from experience. The following msg I'd wrote out before I seen your reply.
...
What type of person spits out their gum in a car park?
I picked up a lump on my heel without realising until I found my foot was sticking to the mat, by which time it was well ground in.... Read more
I knew one bloke who went to Halfords ,bought some "any old" cheapo cheapo large'sh car mats , used his old ones as a t/plate then used a Stanley Knife and a drill (for holes) to match what he had before.
Promotion for this man?
Am I going doolally?
3 years ago I transferred from Police Mutual Car Insurance (ex plods note this is expensive Insurance despite their baloney cheap) to a company with a scouse accent (need I say more) that gave me a good quote.... Read more
Prompted by this thread, last night I obtained a quote for multicar onsirance from Aviva. My insurance is due tomorrow on one car and October on the other. It came back at £222 for the first - slightly higher than direct line, and £88 for the second. The second would run from October for 280 days so that renwal is together next year. The website clearly also said this was equivalent to £114 annual premium....
Hi
Next year we are going on a Skiing holiday for first time ever, we will be taking our car (2009 Citroen C Crosser which is clone of Mitsubishi Outlander). I have never ski'd before nor driving the alps during winter, so lots of questions
The car has roof bars running front to back, recommendations for a solution of carrying skis? using the bars I presume I can buy/fit cross beams with adapation.
Preparation: apart from a good service, how should the car be prepared? headlight lenses? any different oils or fluids for the cold?
Tyres: currently on Grabber GTs from General Tyre Company, plenty of tread, will these be appropriate? How about Snow chains / Snow socks.
Since this is new to me, what unknowns are there that I am not even asking. What should be carried in the car as "provisions" for emergency? what is legal requirement (hi vis jackets?), what is good advice... Read more
Modern winter tyres are better in summer than summer tyres of just a few years back - they're also optimised for wet conditions, which the UK gets a lot of in summer.
IMO the only issue with using winter tyres all year round is the higher wear rate in summer.
Browse
Here is a suggestion, a bit radical maybe but here goes........stop wasting time here getting wound up by irreverent comments and things you don't like to hear and instead go and see a solicitor, a real one with proper qualifications and talk face to face with someone who knows what he/she is talking about. Take all the sales information with you and listen to what is said and answer all the questions put to you honestly and truthfully.
It might cost you say £50-100 but you will then know exactly where you stand and what can (or can't) be done to resolve the issues.