Bought a bit of a turkey.. :/

Zaphan58

Zaphan58

Zaphan58

Associate
Joined
30 Nov 2003
Posts
1,614
Bought a car the other day and turns out I've been had :( Had a look over the car before I bought it and all looked fine. It only passed its MOT about 2 weeks ago so I thought I couldn't go too far wrong. Dad took it for a spin around the block and didn't notice anything concerning.

Anyway I drove it home and when I put my foot down on the carriageway I thought it felt a bit sluggish. In the daylight (viewed it in the evening, first mistake) I noticed it was smoking from the exhaust. So today had a mechanic friend of the family look it over and he basically said the engine needs replacing, the engine management lights have been pulled out to cover the problems up and he's no idea how it passed an MOT 2 weeks ago as firstly the emissions will be very high.

So phoned the guy I bought it from and he didn't deny anything, got nasty and then said "sold as seen" and hung up. Luckily it wasn't the most expensive of cars (£800) and I guess I'll have to chalk this one to experience and know better next time.

Anyone else any similar stories?
 
Unlucky, what car is it out of interest? I take it this was just a private sale yeah?

If you're absolutely certain its got major issues ( I'd be interested in what the actual issue is) I'd just drove it until it actually dies then scrap the thing
 
Well Sold as seen says it all.

Besides that. Why people think that if car just passed mot its not ****ed in some way ??
My engine is drinking oil and car will still pass mot and emissions 0 problems LOLz
 
Janesy B said:
What is the actual problem?
Click to expand...

I was out when the mechanic came around so don't know specifically what. But it's burning oil for one. Was advised it's probably best to sell it on as spares or repair. Probably could find another engine cheapish but is it really going to be worth it on a £800 car. I'm guessing not.

rodenal said:
Unlucky, what car is it out of interest? I take it this was just a private sale yeah?
Click to expand...

2003 Golf.
 
Didn't you check the Engine Management Light illuminated and then turned off once started? Actually silly question, you didn't.
 
thats unlucky. do you have the papers for the m.o.t? as i am sure you could get the government involved as there is no chance that would have passed a m.o.t.
 
AshD93 said:
Didn't you check the Engine Management Light illuminated and then turned off once started? Actually silly question, you didn't.
Click to expand...


Not really something your average joe checks.

Best thing you can do is phone him up and tell him your donating the car to the Ministry Of Transport with the current MOT and a letter explaining the situation. If it's a mate who let it pass then he'll give you your money back you could even phone the MOT station if he refuses as a last resort.
 
If it was from a dealer then 'sold as seen' is meaningless, they have responsibilities above and beyond a private sale.

However, whether it will be worth your while attempting to convince them of this / take them to court over it etc. only you could really decide.
 
robinbanks said:
thats unlucky. do you have the papers for the m.o.t? as i am sure you could get the government involved as there is no chance that would have passed a m.o.t.
Click to expand...

Seriously???

You might be able to get the MOT tested into hot water but it's doubtful.

No one will give the OP any help with this, he could take the guy he bought the car from to court. But he's have to prove the seller deliberately mislead him which isn't likely.
 
So firstly we need to know whether it was a dealer or a private sale.....


A couple of things to point out for you though...

A dealer pretending to be a private seller is committing a criminal offence. ;)

The vehicle should match the description given by the seller. (private or otherwise)

If you can prove either of those two points, you have him by the ******** :D

A couple of things in your favour....
The MOT and the "removed CEL"
So it if it indeed passed the MOT legitimately "2 weeks ago" then that shows the owner has disguised the faults
If it didn't pass the MOT legitimately well then there is a garage owner with a tightening sphincter right now..

I'd go back to the seller and ask him "which will it be then mate? Am I taking you to court for covering up faults or taking the garage to court for dogy MOT's..

I should imagine that would put the wind up him enough to think twice about the sale..
 
Last edited:
K.C. Leblanc said:
Seriously???

You might be able to get the MOT tested into hot water but it's doubtful.

No one will give the OP any help with this, he could take the guy he bought the car from to court. But he's have to prove the seller deliberately mislead him which isn't likely.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty certain VOSA take dodgy MOT's incredibly seriously, and for any garage worth it's salt losing their licence to do MOT's is going to do them a crap load of harm.
 
Worth a small claims filing I would have thought - the fact the engine management lights had all been pulled is pretty obvious effort at concealing the true condition of the vehicle. I think there's a decent argument that your average Joe car buyer should be able to take the lack of engine fault lights at first look without having to anticipate the seller being a (*&^ and disconnecting them, especially when taking into account the 'valid' MOT certificate in addition.

It's only 60 quid to file a claim online and a further 80 quid if you go to Trial. Based on your description of the sale there's no risk of paying any costs so probably worth a shout if you have the time to spare. The guy may end up offering you 400 quid or something just to go away.
 
Last edited:
[TW]Fox;24923249 said:
For future reference, a 2003 Golf for 800 quid should set alarm bells ringing.
Click to expand...

Too true..costs you more than that for a working 1983 or 1993 one.

OP, have you checked online to see if the mot is logged and its not just a fake certificate?

Pretty much any good golf from the last 10 years with tax, long mot and recent service will set you back 1300-1800. You can find cheaper but as you have discovered they have their reasons. Golfs are one of the car types that have an intrinsic value where they only drop below it when ready for scrap.

Assuming the rest of the car is ok, you could probably break for spares or eBay as spares or repairs and get your money back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom