Private Car sale gone wrong (unknown to us)

[Tui32]

Hi everyone,

I was given the information for this site via my online car club. Hoping I can get some more advice here in regards to our current horrible situation.

So a bit of background info. I've recently started a new job that involves a fair bit of motorway miles. I only had a little petrol clio at the time, so thought now was the perfect time to get a diesel. I ended up with a new car and now had the headache of selling my clio privately. Coincidentally my mum had recently also been talking about getting a slightly larger car than her current Ford KA due to the birth of my sisters baby. To save a lot of headache's I decided to give my clio to my mum and keep the funds from her selling the Ford KA. Hope this makes sense so far...

Anyway, the car for sale in question was a little Ford KA, fantastic condition for it's age and just a great little car all round. Mum only had it 6 months herself as a little run around now we've all grown up. As previously mentioned, she reluctantly (with my help) listed it for sale on Facebook, due to it no longer big enough for a pram and her new grandchild. After a week or so and a few viewings we sold the car to a lady. She test drove it, had a thorough look inside and out, and seemed to be really happy with it. She was even keen to put down a deposit to hold the car, however we assured her that this wasn't needed and that we'd turn away any other interest until she picked it up the following day, which we did.


All of the correct documentation was signed for, money changed hands and I made sure mum wrote out a full receipt (I was in work at the time). We were happy to sell what had been a great little car for mum and from our knowledge the buyer was driving away with a little gem. Cut to today and the buyers got in touch via my Facebook saying the steerings gone and that we've tried to bodge it up and sell it on?? She states that there's a problem with the steering column and that it'll be a very expensive fix. There has also been claims of a breakdown company coming out to confirm all of this, however we have been in touch with said company who have confirmed they haven't received a call about this car? She has either mentioned the incorrect company name or this is false.

I won't go into detail in regards to pasting the message I received or any further details in regards to names, locations etc, as I'm not sure legally where I stand and I wouldn't want to make things worse. The message was very very rude and accused mum of being a dishonest person and a thief. This has left me very upset as my mum is a grandmother in her 60's, with long careers in the police, civil service and social service. We would be the last family on earth to try and con someone and to receive such a violent message straight away with no other communication has not been nice at all.

Mum is very worried as to where she stands legally. The car was sold with 6 months mot and had no problems whilst we owned it. Whilst test driving the car the woman apparently said to my mum that she had previously been through the courts regarding the sale of another car that had gone wrong, she also apparently was reluctant to write her address on the logbook. All of these observations may have been nothing but looking at the bigger picture I have a horrible feeling the buyer is trying to get their money back unfairly?

Would someone please be able to reassure us?

[Kati]

tagging des8 R0b xx

[des8]

Hi and welcome

seems like the purchaser has form for this type of action.

legally, as the sale was private sale, and the purchaser viewed the vehicle prior to purchasing, she has no claim against your mother.
Write back to the woman telling her this, and tell her that any further communications from her will be considered harassment and reported to the police.

Also, whilst still fresh in your minds, write down in narrative form all that happened, from the time of advertising the car to the present.
Retain copies of all emails and any other written communication.
This is just in case she tries to frighten your mother by initiating a court claim. Unfortunately it does happen, even if they have no chance of winning.

[jaguarsuk]

Hi and welcome

seems like the purchaser has form for this type of action.

legally, as the sale was private sale, and the purchaser viewed the vehicle prior to purchasing, she has no claim against your mother.
Write back to the woman telling her this, and tell her that any further communications from her will be considered harassment and reported to the police.

Also, whilst still fresh in your minds, write down in narrative form all that happened, from the time of advertising the car to the present.
Retain copies of all emails and any other written communication.
This is just in case she tries to frighten your mother by initiating a court claim. Unfortunately it does happen, even if they have no chance of winning.

The wording of your advert might become relevant if something is genuinely wrong with the car, so keep a screen grab or copy of that to if you can.

She sounds like a chancer, but if she has been through court before then that says she is willing to file claims and so the more prepared you are the more easy it will be to handle if that comes.

If she does file a claim come back and post here, we'll help you see her off.