Bought a duff car, any advice?

[Greenja]

So almost two weeks ago, Saturday before last, I bought myself a 2001 Peugeot 206 for a garage. It was a pretty cheap car, only £750, so I wasn't expecting it to be pristine or anything, was just after a cheap run about.

On the test drive the car seemed fine, but it was a very short test drive. The day after I bought it, I was sat in traffic and the "STOP" light on the dash came on solid red. So I immediately pulled over and googled what it could be

The temp gauge was looking fine, but when I popped open the coolant cap steaming water/coolant came bubbling out. However, the STOP light instantly went out. I let it sit for about 20mins and then drove away, since then I had no real further problems. I looked into it briefly and found that a common problem on the 206 is the radiator fan not working, it seems this is the case on my car and caused the coolant temp to get too high.

Anyway, fast forward a week or so and yesterday an orange light came on the dash. I checked in the handbook and its the "engine autodiagnostics warning light". This means a problem with the ignition, timing or emission systems.

I had no choice but to drive the car to work this morning, orange light still on, and on the way I was stuck in traffic for a short while and once again the "STOP" red warning light comes on and the temp gauge shoots through the roof (didnt do that last time, the temp gauge stayed around 75). Again I think this is because the radiator fan doesnt come on so when sat in traffic the temp shoots up.

Before I could even pull over however the temp went down and the "STOP" light went off as soon as I started moving forward looking for a place to pull over (as air was now passing over the radiator once I started moving).

Obviously, this car is knackered. I have no idea what to do though, i've got no experiance with something like this.

I'm really hoping someone can give me some advise, do I have any rights with the garage I bought it from? It was just a small garage, more just a parking lot really on some industrial estate. When buying the car I got the impression that he would not help afterwards, he made mention of "no warranty" and "sold as seen". I have read before though that something like this falls under the sale of good act and that "sold as seen" does not make you exempt from the law?

Any sound advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Maz]

So almost two weeks ago, Saturday before last, I bought myself a 2001 Peugeot 206 for a garage. It was a pretty cheap car, only £750, so I wasn't expecting it to be pristine or anything, was just after a cheap run about.

On the test drive the car seemed fine, but it was a very short test drive. A couple of days after I bought it, I was sat in traffic and the "STOP" light on the dash came on solid red. So I immediately pulled over and googled what it could be

The temp gauge was looking fine, but when I popped open the coolant cap steaming water/coolant came bubbling out. However, the STOP light instantly went out. I let it sit for about 20mins and then drove away, since then I had no real further problems. I looked into it briefly and found that a common problem on the 206 is the radiator fan not working, it seems this is the case on my car and caused the coolant temp to get too high.

The more I drove the car the more I noticed that it runs like **** aswell, it makes strange scraping noises when I apply the brakes and creaks and groans constantly.

Anyway, fast forward a week or so and yesterday an orange light came on the dash. I checked in the handbook and its the "engine autodiagnostics warning light". This means a problem with the ignition, timing or emission systems.

I had no choice but to drive the car to work this morning, orange light still on, and on the way I was stuck in traffic for a short while and once again the "STOP" red warning light comes on and the temp gauge shoots through the roof (didnt do that last time, the temp gauge stayed around 75). Again I think this is because the radiator fan doesnt come on so when sat in traffic the temp shoots up.

Before I could even pull over however the temp went down and the "STOP" light went off as soon as I started moving forward looking for a place to pull over (as air was now passing over the radiator once I started moving).

Obviously, this car is knackered. I have no idea what to do though, i've got no experiance with something like this.

I'm really hoping someone can give me some advise, do I have any rights with the garage I bought it from? It was just a small garage, more just a parking lot really on some industrial estate. When buying the car I got the impression that he would not help afterwards, he made mention of "no warranty" and "sold as seen". I have read before though that something like this falls under the sale of good act and that "sold as seen" does not make you exempt from the law?

Any sound advice would be greatly appreciated!

The problem you have is the car you bought was only £750, the seller is of no obligation to provide a warranty to a car which is not of significant value.

The only possible come back you have is if they can prove that the fault was not present at the time of sale, given you've had the car for such a short period of time it could be argued that the fault WAS present - however proving it is another matter.

He can legally sell the car sold as seen and without a warranty as this vehicle is NOT of significant value.

 

[Burnsy2023]

He can legally sell the car sold as seen and without a warranty as this vehicle is NOT of significant value.

As he bought it from a business, the SOGA applies here. Is the car of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose?

 

[Disco Boy]

The problem you have is the car you bought was only £750, the seller is of no obligation to provide a warranty to a car which is not of significant value.

The only possible come back you have is if they can prove that the fault was not present at the time of sale, given you've had the car for such a short period of time it could be argued that the fault WAS present - however proving it is another matter.

He can legally sell the car sold as seen and without a warranty as this vehicle is NOT of significant value.

I have never heard of this. As far as I know there is no minimum value for the statutory 3 month warranty provided he bought from a dealer. Citation needed.

 

[Philz0r]

For now drive with the hot heater on, will helP engine temps and not blow the head gasket.

 

[K.C. Leblanc]

The temp gauge was looking fine, but when I popped open the coolant cap steaming water/coolant came bubbling out.

This is normal on a hot engine, you should only open it when the radiator is cold. Have you checked that the system isn't just short of coolant.

If there is a cooling issue setting the heater on full will help cool the engine, but make sure recirculate is turned off. But I wouldn't drive it is there's a cooling issue, you run the risk of doing further damage.

You mention there's also a scrapping noise, this could well be the water pump on the way out.

 

[Greenja]

As he bought it from a business, the SOGA applies here. Is the car of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose?

Yeah I was hoping that the Sale of Goods Act would apply, I would say it is not fit for purpose as less than 2 weeks after I bought it I have warnings lights telling me to stop driving.

How should I go about approaching the garage I bought it from, as i'm sure he is going to say "bugger off"? Is there anyway I can go about trying to enforce the SOGA?

 

[K.C. Leblanc]

How should I go about approaching the garage I bought it from, as i'm sure he is going to say "bugger off"? Is there anyway I can go about trying to enforce the SOGA?

Take them the car and explain the problem to them. For all you know they'll fix it for you.

 

[Burnsy2023]

Take them the car and explain the problem to them. For all you know they'll fix it for you.

Indeed. Don't go all guns blazing unless you absolutely need to.

 

[Maz]

I have never heard of this. As far as I know there is no minimum value for the statutory 3 month warranty provided he bought from a dealer. Citation needed.

There is NO statutory 3 month warranty.

A dealer sell a car for any amount and they're NOT obliged to provide a warranty - however if the car goes wrong within the first 6 months then the dealer must prove the fault wasn't there at point of sale.

 

[mejinks]

To be honest, it just sounds like the coolant needs flushing and the thermostat needs changing. As for the scraping when braking, perhaps the brakes need changing. All pretty common stuff.

 

[Greenja]

Take them the car and explain the problem to them. For all you know they'll fix it for you.

Yeah I will definitely call him this evening and explain the situation amicably, hopefully he will do the decent thing and take a look at it for me.

I was just hoping to find out my rights and course of action should he turn around and say hes not going to do anything.

There is NO statutory 3 month warranty.

A dealer sell a car for any amount and they're NOT obliged to provide a warranty - however if the car goes wrong within the first 6 months then the dealer must prove the fault wasn't there at point of sale.

So your saying that if he can't prove the fault occured after the point of sale, then he is liable to fix/refund the car?

 

[Maz]

So your saying that if he can't prove the fault occured after the point of sale, then he is liable to fix/refund the car?

Yes.

 

[Dogbreath]

There is NO statutory 3 month warranty.

A dealer sell a car for any amount and they're NOT obliged to provide a warranty - however if the car goes wrong within the first 6 months then the dealer must prove the fault wasn't there at point of sale.

This is correct, but I don't understand how this relates to the £750 threshold you mentioned previously?

A dealer can not ever hide behind "sold as seen" if selling the car to a private individual, it has no legal standing. If they want no comeback they would have to sell it clearly described as "unroadworthy" or "scrap" etc.

 

[Maz]

This is correct, but I don't understand how this relates to the £750 threshold you mentioned previously?

A dealer can not ever hide behind "sold as seen" if selling the car to a private individual, it has no legal standing. If they want no comeback they would have to sell it clearly described as "unroadworthy" or "scrap" etc.

There isn't a threshold set in stone, however it can be argued at around £2-3k - as if it went to court it would be argued that for a car which was sold for only £750 it wasn't in a retailable condition to start with.

I know of a case where a garage local to me went to court because they sold a 120k mile 02 Volvo to a customer for less than £2k and they wouldn't fix the whatever was causing the engine light to stay on - car drove fine etc and wasn't deemed unroadworthy. Customer lost.

 

[Disco Boy]

There is NO statutory 3 month warranty.

.

Citation needed.

 

[Liampope]

The car is by no means knackered. You have a cooling system issue. You need to verify if the fan really isn't running - if not it could be the fan switch in the rad or even as simple as a fuse. You should also check the condition of the rad - it could have half its fins flaked off due to corrosion and not be working efficiently. And as above the cooling system could probably do with a good flush and new coolant.

If your brakes scrape you probably have worn pads, so check and replace as necessary.

Your car will creak and groan. It's an 11 year old 206 - not an S-class. Probably has an interior loosening up and making noises and very tired suspension.

All this is basic maintenance and not the responsibility of the seller. When you buy a £750 quid car it could need a lot of such basic maintenance, or none at all. That's the risk and your responsibility to try to identify before purchasing.

If you dont want anything to do with maintenance of a car, buy a new one with servicing plan and replace it when the servicing plan runs out. Otherwise, get yourself a Haynes manual and some spanners (anyone can do this stuff), or get to know a garage.

 

[Burnsy2023]

There isn't a threshold set in stone, however it can be argued at around £2-3k - as if it went to court it would be argued that for a car which was sold for only £750 it wasn't in a retailable condition to start with.

I know of a case where a garage local to me went to court because they sold a 120k mile 02 Volvo to a customer for less than £2k and they wouldn't fix the whatever was causing the engine light to stay on - car drove fine etc and wasn't deemed unroadworthy. Customer lost.

Citation most certainly required here.

 

[Greenja]

The car is by no means knackered. You have a cooling system issue. You need to verify if the fan really isn't running - if not it could be the fan switch in the rad or even as simple as a fuse. You should also check the condition of the rad - it could have half its fins flaked off due to corrosion and not be working efficiently. And as above the cooling system could probably do with a good flush and new coolant.

If your brakes scrape you probably have worn pads, so check and replace as necessary.

Your car will creak and groan. It's an 11 year old 206 - not an S-class. Probably has an interior loosening up and making noises and very tired suspension.

All this is basic maintenance and not the responsibility of the seller. When you buy a £750 quid car it could need a lot of such basic maintenance, or none at all. That's the risk and your responsibility to try to identify before purchasing.

If you dont want anything to do with maintenance of a car, buy a new one with servicing plan and replace it when the servicing plan runs out. Otherwise, get yourself a Haynes manual and some spanners (anyone can do this stuff), or get to know a garage.

Don't get me wrong mate, i'm not a stranger to old cars and their creaky ways. I've owned a 1990 BMW 320, a 1996 1.2 Corsa, etc. As i said in my original post i knew I was in the market for a cheap run around, nothing fancy. All the cars i've owned have been old and creaky. I was just giving some more information really on the state of the vehicle, its not the reason i'm complaining or making this thread.

Same with the over heating problem, thats not really the reason I made this thread either. It first occured almost 2 weeks ago and I have checked and the radiator fan is definitely the problem, after leaving the car idling I sat watching the radiator fan and it never kicked in right up until the "STOP" warning light came on at which point I shut off the engine.

Now I realise this is probably an easy fix, and again I was not even considering going back to the garage regarding this. I was just giving more information on the state of the car.

The reason i'm complaining about the vehicle and asking for help here is because of the "engine autodiagnostics warning" light which has come on recently. In the handbook this says that its a problem with the ignition, timing or emissions systems and indicates a serious fault and should take the car "to a peugeot dealer rapidly".

I'm not averse to maintaining my vehicle, and would expect to do as such. This however I feel is a real fault that is beyond my repair and hence my comment of the vehicle is "knackered"

 

[Dogbreath]

There isn't a threshold set in stone, however it can be argued at around £2-3k - as if it went to court it would be argued that for a car which was sold for only £750 it wasn't in a retailable condition to start with.

I know of a case where a garage local to me went to court because they sold a 120k mile 02 Volvo to a customer for less than £2k and they wouldn't fix the whatever was causing the engine light to stay on - car drove fine etc and wasn't deemed unroadworthy. Customer lost.

You would have to expect a £750 car to have minor faults simply through wear and tear, and the law makes provision for this. The car has to be fit for purpose however; an engine that overheats badly in traffic does not meet this description.