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Sold a vehicle - buyer claims it is unroadworthy

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  • Sold a vehicle - buyer claims it is unroadworthy

    I sold a vehicle recently (I'm a private seller). It had an MOT issued approx 6 weeks previously. MOT had advisories for 2 tyres which I informed any potential buyers of, and offered to either replace the tyres prior to purchase or discount the cost from the purchase price.

    It is an old vehicle (over 20 years old) and it had over 140000 miles on it. I disclosed to the buyer everything I knew about this vehicle, which I had owned for 2.5 years, including telling them that I had recently had an independent inspector view it on behalf of a client. I have not seen their report but was told verbally by the inspector that there was nothing on it that was structural or dangerous, nothing that would fail an MOT but it had a lot of rust and he would be advising his client not to buy it because once a vehicle has rust, it is a costly process to keep on top of it. I told the buyer about this before they came to view as they were travelling some distance and bringing a mechanic, and I did not want to waste their time and money if they were expecting to find it in better condition than it was. I photographed the areas of rust that were causing concern and emailed them to the buyer, and I have an email chain with them regarding this.

    Buyer and their mechanic came out to view it. Mechanic found one issue that he claimed should have been an MOT failure, although it could have happened since the MOT, but said it was a minor part (£5 ish) to replace. Apart from that he listed a few items that he would advise they need to get done and thought on the whole with a bit of TLC they would be able to keep it on the road for a few years yet. Mechanic estimated it would need £600 spent to do these repairs. We negotiated a price of £750 less than the asking price to include this work and the 2 tyres which I knew would need replacing. Both of us were happy with this.

    Buyer purchased the vehicle the following week. I issued a receipt for each of us stating "sold as seen, tried and tested" which we both signed. Buyer drove the vehicle some 100+ miles home and sent me a text to say they were back safely and all was good.

    A few days later the buyer took the vehicle into her local garage (not the same mechanic as who viewed the vehicle). They've got it up on the ramps and listed a number of items that they say are MOT fails. They have been quoted a cost of £1300 to make it roadworthy. Buyer has contacted me to say the vehicle is unroadworthy and have stated they would ideally like me to take the vehicle back. I have no use for the vehicle and obviously I'd have to pay to tax, insurance and get breakdown cover, not to mention costs to recover it over 100 miles if it's not roadworthy.

    Buyer has reported my garage to VOSA/DVSA and is in the process of getting an independent MOT done on it to prove it is unroadworthy.

    As the seller of the vehicle, where do I stand with this? One of my concerns is that the vehicle is out of my possession and I dont know what prodding/poking her garage may have done that could have made worse any minor issues to the point of an MOT fail. Also that the buyer can influence the garage they are taking the vehicle to for an independent assessment by noting all the possible fails in advance.

    If the vehicle is found to be unroadworthy, what are my obligations? Do I have to take the vehicle back (which I really dont want to do because of the additional costs involved, the distance away that it is and the fact that I think it will be harder to resell with this in its history). Am I liable for the costs to make good anything that is deemed to be an MOT fail? Can I negotiate and only offer to pay for anything that would have been unidentifiable by her mechanic / on the test drive?

    I am an honest person and I believe the buyer realises this. We are both caught up with what her garage says against what mine says. I am distraught to find myself in this situation as I do believe I did everything I could to describe this vehicle accurately, and I never anticipated I could have found myself in this situation.
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  • #2
    Re: Sold a vehicle - buyer claims it is unroadworthy

    imho She hasn't got a leg to stand, the car was inspected thoroughly by her own "mechanic" driven and tested and signed a receipt, you are under no obligation to take the car back however if it is deemed that your MOT guy has not done his her job properly he/she could well lose the VOSA licence but how is that your fault ... Now my next statement is in no way is meant to offend and is not implied to your circumstances.... Just a situation I once knew of.. If a "dodgy MOT" was put on the car to get it sold and she does take this further Im sure the MOT garage wouldn't take the full flack

    But as said otherwise you had the car MOT'D it passed your please, it sells there're please, it drives 100+ miles, you get a pleasing text to say it great, then 72 hours later its not road worthy, who to say they didnt take an expensive part of your car put on their car and vice versa now trying to blame you .... Just a thought Lass and welcome to LB

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    • #3
      Re: Sold a vehicle - buyer claims it is unroadworthy

      Thanks Stu. I have spoken with my MOT garage at length about the "fails" that the buyers garage have listed. My garage believe they have performed everything within the set guidelines but have admitted that some garages are harsher than others with what they perceive to be fails. It sounds like the buyers garage and my garage are at opposite ends of the spectrum to what they find acceptable. It certainly isnt a case of a dodgy MOT - this is my local garage, they are a reputable business and have been trading for many years.

      It has scared me to be told I may have committed a criminal offence in selling this vehicle as I did everything I could prior to selling to ensure the vehicle was roadworthy. I welcomed prospective buyers to have it fully inspected so that they were fully aware of what they were buying.

      Do you know what happens next? If the vehicle fails an independent MOT assessment, what are my obligations or the sellers rights? And what happens to my garage if they are found to at fault?

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      • #4
        Re: Sold a vehicle - buyer claims it is unroadworthy

        The buyers garage could be looking for extra repair business ! It sounds as though you have been honest with the buyer and pointing out defects that you knew about. She has had a professional inspection by her mechanic and accepted it, indeed that text when they got back showed they were happy.

        As far as you were concerned you have nothing to fear and you have no obligations to the buyer, especially with the signed "Sold as Seen" statement. What did they expect for 20 years old !

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        • #5
          Re: Sold a vehicle - buyer claims it is unroadworthy

          Hi Lass ...

          I cannot confirm what the law would say here but it seems to me that you sold the car in good faith and this whole issue revolves around the fact that you sold the car with a six week old MOT and yet another garage has highlighted that, in their opinion, the car is an obvious MOT fail and as such the buyer is now going to the lengths of reporting the original; testing garage to the authorities. But we all know the old ruling that the vehicle is only regarded as passable at the time of testing, so we either assume that the original tester is incompetent or a lot has happened in six weeks.

          Out of interest what make and model was this car and what did you sell it for? On the basis that you don't want the car back and it would be financially encumbering to have it back, is there any latitude in offering a level of money back to appease the buyer. It may be that you have to take some of the hit here as things do seem to be going against you.

          From what I understand, providing you were honest and truthful on the day, and the car was not found to be or proven to be 'unroadworthy' on the day, then I suspect that your buyer has little or no redress. After all, there was the buyer's mechanics inspection and a valid MOT. From what I see the car was sold and bought 'in good faith'. Certainly, from what you have said, there was not any element of misrepresentation.

          I am sure that someone else on the forum will give you more definitive advice but I am sensing that there is not much the buyer can do. They can, of course, pursue the matter of the original MOT tester being incompetent and that may lead somewhere for them but I cannot see that as your concern now. This seems one of those instances where the buyer has changed their mind due to conflicting information, that I cannot see you being aware of, and they want to put the grief on you. There is also the possibility ( and this is just a suspicion ) that there is some attempt to fool you here and get money back .... buyers are known to do this.

          - - - Updated - - -

          Plenty of advice on line if you Google it and this may well reassure you! This is one such site :

          https://www.carfused.com/guides/your...-car-privately

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Sold a vehicle - buyer claims it is unroadworthy

            Exactly and it just that 20 year old motor at a discounted price from your asking price for the bits and bobs it needed, try not to worry but she is trying it on imo

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            • #7
              Re: Sold a vehicle - buyer claims it is unroadworthy

              This is a duplicate thread. Most of the answers are on the other thread.

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              • #8
                Re: Sold a vehicle - buyer claims it is unroadworthy

                some one is looking for a free car. Ignore them or at the most write a polite letter saying the matter is closed. Keep hard copies of the email trail if they issue court proceedings then come back here and and you will get good advice on what to do. Now go and make a nice hot cup of tea and don't worry.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Sold a vehicle - buyer claims it is unroadworthy

                  Originally posted by ostell View Post
                  This is a duplicate thread. Most of the answers are on the other thread.
                  threads merged so as not to confuse xx
                  Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of.

                  It doesn't matter where your journey begins, so long as you begin it...

                  recte agens confido

                  ~~~~~

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                  But please include a link to your thread so I know who you are.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Sold a vehicle - buyer claims it is unroadworthy

                    Originally posted by seduraed View Post
                    some one is looking for a free car. Ignore them or at the most write a polite letter saying the matter is closed. Keep hard copies of the email trail if they issue court proceedings then come back here and and you will get good advice on what to do. Now go and make a nice hot cup of tea and don't worry.
                    I don't think the buyer is trying it on to be honest, I think they are being advised by their garage to return it because it's an old vehicle that needs more repair than realised, and they can't be sure how long the repairs will last.

                    My MOT garage have actually offered to pay the repair bills for the additional work the buyers garage have found. Whilst they maintain they have carried out a fair test, they are keen to avoid reinspection and any potential consequences to them.

                    Buyer seems unwilling to accept this and is still wanting to return the vehicle to me on the basis that it is unroadworthy.

                    I have exolained that the legal advice I have received is that I am under no obligation to do so, and I would not be prepared to take it back because of the financial implications to me (tax, insurance, breakdown and recovering it 100+ miles) and also for the fact that the vehicle has been out of my possession for over a week and I have no idea what her garage may have done to expose the alleged faults.

                    I have said said I am very upset about this and I am keen to resolve it amicably.

                    is there anything else I can do now.. Or just sit back and wait, and possibly face being taken to court?

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Sold a vehicle - buyer claims it is unroadworthy

                      What has your MOT garage got to worry about rings alarm bells for me

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                      • #12
                        Re: Sold a vehicle - buyer claims it is unroadworthy

                        As you have already been advised you have no legal obligations to the purchaser.
                        They inspected the vehicle before making a private purchase.

                        IMO you don't have a moral obligation either.

                        I don't envisage the authorities taking action for a breach of RTA 1988 sec 75.
                        It passed an MOT, and then there was a further independent inspection that whilst highlighting problems, said essentially the MOT was sound

                        If the purchaser should initiate proceedings in the County Court, come back here for guidance on your response.
                        My daughter ha a similar experience a couple of years ago, but a sound defence and the claimant discontinued.

                        Comment

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