Car Rejection = Silence So Far
Discussion
Some of you may have seen my other post regarding a vehicle I rejected back on the 28th May. The car was £5k but within two weeks it was apparent there were issues to the point where I feel there was a potential dodgy MOT done for the sake of the sale.
- Leaking PAT fluid
- Knocking from the steering
- Multiple messages around the restraint system
- Questionable brake feel, progressively worse.
- Leaking valves with AC
In isolation and given the age of the car I would have got the issue resolved but the fact I was getting errors around the car not starting in X miles due to the PAT fluid leak. I e-mailed my intention to reject the car within 18 days of purchase.
14 days came and went on Friday despite Whatsapp reminders (original contact with the trader) and following up via e-mail.
I spoke with Citizens advice too who have given me a template for a Letter Before Court Action so I know the next steps.
I just wondered if anyone had any first hand experience of dealing with a vehicle rejection and if you'd had a difficult trader to contend with?
As it is, I've got space to keep the car, have ceased using it entirely and actually bought a replacement as it's needed for work.
- Leaking PAT fluid
- Knocking from the steering
- Multiple messages around the restraint system
- Questionable brake feel, progressively worse.
- Leaking valves with AC
In isolation and given the age of the car I would have got the issue resolved but the fact I was getting errors around the car not starting in X miles due to the PAT fluid leak. I e-mailed my intention to reject the car within 18 days of purchase.
14 days came and went on Friday despite Whatsapp reminders (original contact with the trader) and following up via e-mail.
I spoke with Citizens advice too who have given me a template for a Letter Before Court Action so I know the next steps.
I just wondered if anyone had any first hand experience of dealing with a vehicle rejection and if you'd had a difficult trader to contend with?
As it is, I've got space to keep the car, have ceased using it entirely and actually bought a replacement as it's needed for work.
As I said on the other thread, it's common practice for them to go silent.
Not that many people go through with the threat of court action, and the dealers know this.
Just carry on with CAB's advice, and you'll probably get a call from the dealer when the court papers land on their doormat.
Not that many people go through with the threat of court action, and the dealers know this.
Just carry on with CAB's advice, and you'll probably get a call from the dealer when the court papers land on their doormat.
Trevor555 said:
As I said on the other thread, it's common practice for them to go silent.
Not that many people go through with the threat of court action, and the dealers know this.
Just carry on with CAB's advice, and you'll probably get a call from the dealer when the court papers land on their doormat.
Certainly rather unnerving but appreciate you're advice and knowing it's not uncommon. Lousy of them but not uncommon. Not that many people go through with the threat of court action, and the dealers know this.
Just carry on with CAB's advice, and you'll probably get a call from the dealer when the court papers land on their doormat.
I'm fortunate I can keep the car stored off road and in a safe location as it's not insured and I'll SORN it this week too.
Alex_225 said:
I just wondered if anyone had any first hand experience of dealing with a vehicle rejection...
Only once - but luckily I bought it 'mail order' during Covid. When a week later the engine started running like a bag of spanners and leaving a trail of grey smoke a phone call was made... they sent a bloke to collect it and refunded the money. And like yours, the MOT was a work of fiction.Simpo Two said:
Alex_225 said:
I just wondered if anyone had any first hand experience of dealing with a vehicle rejection...
Only once - but luckily I bought it 'mail order' during Covid. When a week later the engine started running like a bag of spanners and leaving a trail of grey smoke a phone call was made... they sent a bloke to collect it and refunded the money. And like yours, the MOT was a work of fiction.What makes me think the MOT is nonsense is that the previous one mentioned nearside/offside suspension arm pins having excess movement and also a a numberplate light being out as advisories. Both of which were missing off the new MOT which I naively assumed meant they'd been resolved. The knocking from the front I suspect (may be wrong of course) are the suspension arm pins and I know the number plate light was still out as it had no bulb in it.
davek_964 said:
You appear to be doing that in the wrong order
Correct, it was only as I was posting this I realised I'd not SORN it yet but had switched the insurance over to the new replacement car. paul_c123 said:
How long is "so far"?
17 days from the point of being notified of the rejection. Admittedly, they have 14 days to respond have only gone over by 3 days currently. Purpose of my thread was really to see how people had faired in similar situations. First time I've rejected a vehicle.
Alex_225 said:
17 days from the point of being notified of the rejection. Admittedly, they have 14 days to respond have only gone over by 3 days currently.
Purpose of my thread was really to see how people had faired in similar situations. First time I've rejected a vehicle.
I don’t think you have the same rights on a used £5k car as you do a new one.Purpose of my thread was really to see how people had faired in similar situations. First time I've rejected a vehicle.
I think you have to give the seller the opportunity to fix it first before going down a rejection route.
trickywoo said:
I don t think you have the same rights on a used £5k car as you do a new one.
I think you have to give the seller the opportunity to fix it first before going down a rejection route.
Wrong on both counts. Technically, you have the same rights DESPITE it being a £5k used car rather than a new one. And within the first 30 days, there is a short term right to reject - buyer is not obligated to give the seller an opportunity to fix.I think you have to give the seller the opportunity to fix it first before going down a rejection route.
I'd suggest you familiarise yourself with CRA2015.
paul_c123 said:
trickywoo said:
I don t think you have the same rights on a used £5k car as you do a new one.
I think you have to give the seller the opportunity to fix it first before going down a rejection route.
Wrong on both counts. Technically, you have the same rights DESPITE it being a £5k used car rather than a new one. And within the first 30 days, there is a short term right to reject - buyer is not obligated to give the seller an opportunity to fix.I think you have to give the seller the opportunity to fix it first before going down a rejection route.
I'd suggest you familiarise yourself with CRA2015.
To be honest, I'm not unrealistic with used cars. The AC wasn't working for example and I didn't jump straight to the dealer, I sucked up the £220 to get the two leaking valves replaced and had it re-gassed. I even considered the knocking, if it is some bushes it's wear and tear although I feel it should have been resolved before sale but add the PAT fluid leak, raft of beeps and bongs from the restraint system and overall shoddiness of the car, I don't feel it's worth holding onto and being repaired.
I just wanted a mechanically sound car to traipse to work in, this isn't that car sadly.
The Citizens Advice backed up my understanding of the rejection and I used their template to help word any comms with the trader. Next step is a letter sent recorded, essentially a warning of intended action and last option is applying to the small claims court.
RedLightGreenLight said:
Good luck you may have to pay £50 to mr nasty down the pub, to have a word with the dealer
Haha I mean it is an option. I'm hoping the next letter triggers the trader into action and if not the last option of court. I had looked into the notion that given the car is the traders property since I have formally rejected it, since I'm storing it on my property a daily charge until it's removed. Not sure how much of an option that is though in reality.
Flyingakite said:
Why?
He could go to small claims if successful escape to high court.
But will he get money depends if if the business is limited etc.
Sometimes paperwork and process just simply doesn’t work… if you and others think that will work on a dodgy dealer….He could go to small claims if successful escape to high court.
But will he get money depends if if the business is limited etc.
There are so many cases of unscrupulous dealers and victims of financial crime. Some often not getting a penny back or lumbered with a dodgy car, exact same thing has happened to our friends son who bought their first car worth thousands (basically sold a donkey with a exemplary MOT, but turns out to be a nightmare and unsafe car).
Very easy for a LTD company to go bust or have zero financial assets, good luck on enforcement and recovery especially if it’s a very dodgy dealer.
I have dealt with a couple of very dodgy dealers myself too, one which sticks in my mind is a very large London based giant supermarket which closed down recently. Very bad experience and out of pocket by thousands, from a dodgy Mercedes they sold me a few years ago. Decided to blow its gearbox on the A1 with my young family including baby in the car. We went down solicitors letters and all that route, didn’t get me a reliable car or the thousands of £ back I lost.
I genuinely wish the OP good luck and hope for a successful outcome.
I don't know just how dodgy this guy is, he's a young guy and probably thinks he's clever getting iffy MOT's done and selling cars with a warranty through some third party who'll do the square route of f**k all should you actually need to claim. Then once past your 6 month mark, he's got away with another one.
I doubt very much he's a little hard man but who knows. I'll pursue the official routes and see where I end up.
Interestingly looking at his Google reviews, all were favourable but one stuck out as an almost identical situation to mine. Faulty car, questionable MOT and the owner had it re-MOT'd with it failing on several items. Seller eventually refunded but eked it out for as long as possible before hand.
I doubt very much he's a little hard man but who knows. I'll pursue the official routes and see where I end up.
Interestingly looking at his Google reviews, all were favourable but one stuck out as an almost identical situation to mine. Faulty car, questionable MOT and the owner had it re-MOT'd with it failing on several items. Seller eventually refunded but eked it out for as long as possible before hand.
Alex_225 said:
Interestingly looking at his Google reviews, all were favourable but one stuck out as an almost identical situation to mine. Faulty car, questionable MOT and the owner had it re-MOT'd with it failing on several items. Seller eventually refunded but eked it out for as long as possible before hand.
Hopefully that'll settle your mind a little, and I'm sure he'll be on the phone when the court papaers land.I had a 7 month battle with Bmw who pulled the shutters down, and I know how annoying it is to be in this position.
The good thing about sharing with CAB is that they are able to pass the dealers details to trading standards (we can live in hope)
Trevor555 said:
Alex_225 said:
Interestingly looking at his Google reviews, all were favourable but one stuck out as an almost identical situation to mine. Faulty car, questionable MOT and the owner had it re-MOT'd with it failing on several items. Seller eventually refunded but eked it out for as long as possible before hand.
Hopefully that'll settle your mind a little, and I'm sure he'll be on the phone when the court papaers land.I had a 7 month battle with Bmw who pulled the shutters down, and I know how annoying it is to be in this position.
The good thing about sharing with CAB is that they are able to pass the dealers details to trading standards (we can live in hope)
If you go through small claims, don't listen to plastic gangsterfd on here.
You turm a civil matter into criminal one. You win at the least you can keep the car and then still chase money, which realistically odds of getting it will be low, even with a court case.
You turm a civil matter into criminal one. You win at the least you can keep the car and then still chase money, which realistically odds of getting it will be low, even with a court case.
Edited by Flyingakite on Tuesday 16th June 15:56
OutInTheShed said:
Do Not, Ever, buy a car from a trader who won't take a credit card for the deposit.
There's no excuse for a trader not to take credit cards these days, a couple of % fee or less on a £250 deposit.
I agree.There's no excuse for a trader not to take credit cards these days, a couple of % fee or less on a £250 deposit.
Two months ago I deposited £500 with a VW main dealer via my credit card.
To my surprise they said it was just a holding fee, and the £500 would be refunded to my card upon collection, and the full amount paid at the dealership.
Sneaky..
Oh, and the car wasn't the minter it was described as.
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