Sold car.. after a week buyer contacts asking for refund

wijcc · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:13

Hi guys.. My nephew sold his peugeot 307 about 2 weeks ago. The buyer came and viewed the car.. took it for a test drive. After a week of buying the car, the buyer text him back saying there are lots of problems with the car.
She drove the car back home from reading with no problems as she states in her text message. She took the car to a garage and sent a text message with a long list of apparent problems with the car. She states that she wants her money back or the repairs to be paid for. Otherwise she will be taking him to court.
Given that this was a private sale and the fact that she viewed and test drove the car, the buyer does not have very much to stand on legally.. is that correct?

[TW]Fox · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:14

Correct. Sold as seen provided he was not dishonest.

4T5 · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:14

Tell her to do one.

CocoPops · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:14

Sold as seen and test driven.

She should have paid for an RAC/Garage check if she wanted it.

blueseidboy · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:15

my understanding is that when buying from a private seller the car is sold as seen.

Firestar_3x · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:15

Sold as seen, what did she expect when buying a 307!

Brookert · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:16

The problem with buying cars is people expecting them to be perfect, even on a 10 year old car.

Fair enough if people spot faults and want to negotiate a price based on jobs that need doing. Tell the woman to find her warranty information from you and get back to her.

p1RATE · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:17

You are correct, providing your nephew did not intentionally deceive the buyer. Personally I would probably attempt to help the buyer out just to be nice. Is there a serious fault with the car or has the buyer just got the hump about a couple of issues?

Housey · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:17

[TW]Fox;22922036 said:
Correct. Sold as seen provided he was not dishonest.

This is the key here...

Firestar_3x · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:18

p1RATE said:
Personally I would probably attempt to help the buyer out just to be nice.

Why, are you a charity?

It's the buyers fault for not inspecting the car correctly.

wijcc · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:20

Thought as much.
He told her about problems with the car that he knew of.. she stated that she had a friend who was a mechanic who could fix them.

My nephew said that if she had not threaten to take him to court in her text, he would have paid for some of the repair/given back some of the money.

The car was sold for £1700.. it was a 56 or 54 plate (can't remember which).

Housey · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:20

Give us an indication as to the type of issues as I think this will enable us to put ourselves into the shoes of buyer and seller.

Brookert · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:21

wijcc said:
Thought as much.
He told her about problems with the car that he knew of.. she stated that she had a friend who was a mechanic who could fix them.

What sort of problems? Nothing major I take it?

PiKe · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:22

Text back 'good luck'.

Why didn't she bring this mechanic with her?

Gaygle · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:26

wijcc said:
My nephew said that if she had not threaten to take him to court in her text, he would have paid for some of the repair/given back some of the money.

Why do people even entertain the idea of giving some of the money back or helping out with the repair costs?!

Once you hand the car over, it is no longer yours and you have no moral or legal obligation to pay anything further towards it, unless you have flogged a car and been deceitful.

wijcc · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:27

He knew that the gearbox was failing hence one of the reason for the sale of the car and stated that. Also the fact that he is about to enter parenthood in a few months time (reason for sale)

p1RATE · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:28

Firestar_3x said:
Why, are you a charity?

It's the buyers fault for not inspecting the car correctly.

Good karma i guess

I wouldnt want to be caught out myself so i would try and give them the same respect. However i would also have realistic expectations only be willing to help out if i was genuinely at fault and not just a case of an over fussy buyer.

PiKe · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:31

wijcc said:
He knew that the gearbox was failing hence one of the reason for the sale of the car and stated that. Also the fact that he is about to enter parenthood in a few months time (reason for sale)

She was told, she bought it anyway, presumably it's now let go entirely?

It's her fault. He doesn't need to entertain any kind of refund.

Showboat · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:34

Who would send a text asking for money back or threaten to take to court, are people so afraid to speak to each others these days.
Last car i sold one of the electric windows in the rear of the card was broken. I didn't say anything and he didn't test it. The car was 8 years old and very low mileage, it was the only problem i knew. I had the guy on the phone every night for a week finding problems and wanting to know if i would help get them fixed (it was a very cheap car, which he drove for another two years)... If people want a car in a new condition they should buy a new car! Or one from a dealer with a warranty!

p1RATE · 8 Oct 2012 at 16:34

wijcc said:
He knew that the gearbox was failing hence one of the reason for the sale of the car and stated that. Also the fact that he is about to enter parenthood in a few months time (reason for sale)

Did he have it advertised anywhere listing any of the problems? If so make sure its documented just encase