dangerous car

[trig1960]

hi, I was sold a damaged repaired car,which said it was repaired to a high standard.But I have found out the car as only been repaired cosmetically i.e just the exterior and not the mechanical damage .Can anyone tell me what my rights are regarding this ,as the faults are dangerouse ones. thanks ian:doggieyes:

[des8]

Re: dangerous car

Was this a private sale or a dealer.
Presumably recent?
you have the right to reject the vehicle and obtain a full refund as the car is not of satisfactory quality or fit for purpose. You could also choose for the seller to repair the vehicle at their cost, or to supply a replacement.

It is also a criminal offence to sell a car in an unroadworthy condition.
The seller may be prosecuted and fined upto £5000.

In what way is this vehicle "dangerous" or "unroadworthy"?

Report them to trading standards (especially if they are a dealer) if it is unroadworthy

Do not drive the car.
You could be committing a criminal offence, and your motor insurance will be invalidated.

[trig1960]

Re: dangerous car

I have had to take the car to my local vw dealer,who did a full diagnostic check on the car.And they found that the person who had done the repairs on the car,had replaced the fuse box{that fits on top of the battery}with the wrong one for the car,plus they had replaced a fuse with a piece of wire.Making it overload the circuit ,and the vw technition said this car could catch fire at any moment due to the wiring.The cooling and aircon rads have had to be replaced due to them being damaged I,e twisted etc. The car seller who sells loads of cars ,wont answer any emails or phone messages,how do you suggest I deal with this situation. Thanks ian

[des8]

Re: dangerous car

Have you had the necessary work done? and have you paid for the repairs?
Can you get a written report from the VW dealer?

[trig1960]

Re: dangerous car

Have you had the necessary work done? and have you paid for the repairs?
Can you get a written report from the VW dealer?

The car is still in vw and up to now I have a bill of £200 diagnostics and they have started to sort through the faults,but they said they would need more diagnostic time as the work continued .vw have sent me an email with the first couple of major faults on it.The problem is the car dealer refuses to answer any form of approach phone or email!what do you recommend I do to address this person.And vw said they cant quote me any figures because they are trying to work out how much work needs to be done. I ,am gratefull for your help,as I just don't know where I stand as I paid cash for the car.

[des8]

Re: dangerous car

So you have been sold a duff car by a dealer who refuses to answer you.

What you do next depends on what outcome you want.
If you want to keep the car you need to write to the dealer (signed for) letter in which you:
i) detail you purchased vehicle XXXXXXXX on dd/mm/yy from him.
ii) the vehicle is faulty, not fit for purpose and even unroadworthy as some faults are dangerous, and not as described. List known faults.
iii)Because he has not responded to your communications of dd/mm/yy (list them all) you are having the remedial work carried out by XXXXXXXXXXXX and you will be looking to him to reimburse you.
iv) so far the amount is £ xxx., the final amount not yet known as work continues.

Depending on the (non)response you may have to issue court proceedings.

If you don't want to keep the vehicle:
i) stop all work on the vehicle
ii) write to seller as per i) &ii) above
iii)because he has not responded you are rejecting the vehicle under your rights bestowed by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 and require a full refund of the purchase price, as well as expenditure incurred at the VW garage and any incidental expenses incurred (eg bus fares whilst vehicle not available for use, postage etc)
iv) tell them where the vehicle is for collection by prior arrangement.
v) you anticipate receiving the refund within 14 days of receipt of the letter. Failure will lead to you issuing proceedings for recovery in the County Court without further reference to them.

[trig1960]

Re: dangerous car

hi,i have sent 2 formal letters to the seller but they refuse to accept them and wont sign for them.how do I proceed from here if they refuse to accept the letter?can you tell me what course of action do I need to take.as I took your advice and sent 2 formal letters to this person who is using 2 addresses.i put in the letter that I was rejecting the car,but as they refuse to accept it how do I stand! thanks ian

[ostell]

Re: dangerous car

I assume you mean they refuse to accept the letters. Send the letters again but not signed for but get free proof of posting from the post office. Assumed delivered 2 days later.

Then you can go to small claims court after a reasonable time.

[mystery1]

Re: dangerous car

How was it paid for ?

M1

[trig1960]

Re: dangerous car

How was it paid for ?

M1

I paid by cash card,the only time I did not use a credit card!i cant get the seller of this car to reply and he must get signed for mail a lot ,as he must have been served court orders as he refused to accept a plain normal white envelope. how do you deal with people who keep ignoring emails- text messages -phone conversations.He will only answer the phone if you ask about his current cars for sale,and is full of false promises.

[mystery1]

Re: dangerous car

2 choices really.

1. Pay him a visit.

2. Send a letter before action first class getting proof of posting. As long as you send it to the proper address it'll be deemed served by a court unless he can prove he didn't get it. The evidence he refused signed for letters will count against him. Find out the registered address from https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/ After 14 days you have to decide whetehr you'll go to court. (14 days from service which is deemed as the 2nd business day after posting excluding bank hols and weekend)

M1

[trig1960]

Re: dangerous car

i cant find this company on the companieshouse web site.is this normal when dealing with car sellers who have car lots ?they go by VK MOTORSTATE AND SALVAGESTATE- HX1 4LY. am i chasing a unregistered cowboy outfit?

[mystery1]

Re: dangerous car

Is there a registered company number on the receipt ? (usually at the foot in tiny print)

M1

[trig1960]

Re: dangerous car

Is there a registered company number on the receipt ? (usually at the foot in tiny print)

M1

the number on the cash card receipt is D9E483FB19C37BCF does this relate to this company or is this just linking the card machine to that address.thanks for your help,am feeling out on a limb trying to find out about this company.

[mystery1]

Re: dangerous car

No idea what that is.

Aside from a card receipt you should have gotten a receipt for your purchase. The registered company details should be on it as well as a VAT number.

M1