Potential buying nightmare!

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Sat 2 Jan 2016 20:56
Potential buying nightmare! - carcarnoclue

Oh wise car owners out there, I hope you can help.

Being completely stupid and useless I have done something which I am beginning to regret, but I am hoping someone might have some advice.

I bought a second hand car today, at the very last minute was asked to sign a receipt or something. It stated the car was being sold for spares only. I questioned this and the reply was 'it is because the car is under £1500 and has no warranty'. Alarming bells started, but I still signed and drove the car away. 6 hours later the RAC man said he couldn't do anything and it needed a specialist garage to look at it.

Not sure exactly where I stand, with regards to taking it back or cutting my losses.

Hope you can help an unwise fool.

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Sun 3 Jan 2016 00:15
Potential buying nightmare! - Avant

Did you buy the car privately or from a dealer? It makes a difference.

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Sun 3 Jan 2016 00:56
Potential buying nightmare! - dimdip

What is the nature of the breakdown?

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Sun 3 Jan 2016 05:09
Potential buying nightmare! - carcarnoclue

At first, thought it was the flat battery and RAC man said the battery did need replacing soon but had enough power to start the car. He tried both keys and mentioned immobiliser. He couldn't get his computer to connect to anything so suggested a specialist garage take a look. Hopefully will know more on Monday.

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Sun 3 Jan 2016 05:05
Potential buying nightmare! - carcarnoclue

From a dealer.

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Sun 3 Jan 2016 13:01
Potential buying nightmare! - 72 dudes

If it's from a dealer, then things may be in your favour.

Whatever you signed does not affect your statutory rights as a consumer buying from a motor dealer.

Forget the lack of a warranty, it is the new Concumer Rights Act which is your friend in this case.

The car is not fit for purpose (although you are somewhat vague as to the actual problem) so you have the right to reject it within 30 days. You also have the right to have the supplying dealer repair the fault, but I would suggest rejection in the first instance.

If the dealer refuses, then the small claims court route would be the way to go.

Make a note of all future conversations/phone calls/emails with the dealer from now on, in case it comes to a court case.

Good luck and please come back with updates on your progress.

Finally, don't go signing anything you're not sure about. The ideal time to back out would have been before payment.

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