Dodgy car dealer, stolen my car

[starkeyy]

In need of some advice.

Purchased a car from a dealer on the 30/04/2014, a day after purchasing vehicle oil light comes up and found it had used all its oil on the journey back, around 120 miles. Obvious problem, piston rings had gone - phoned dealer for him to say they'd recover it back, this never happened. Following weekend I took the car back up to him, which he didn't like very much, after lots of abuse from him and the police got called after he threatened to ram our vehicles. We come to an agreement of letting his mechanics diagnose the problem and if it was the piston rings I'd receive a full refund, which I got got him to write up.

Phoned up a week later, and was told they were putting a new engine in as they couldn't afford to diagnose the problem, but the engine turned out to be the wrong one, so was told they will be rebuilding my current engine. A month has now gone, the 'manager' running the place refuses to answer phone or respond to my texts. After a little research I discovered they had no cars listed on their autotrader so I decided to phone the business next to his, which I was told they had packed up all there cars and left this bank holiday weekend.

I really do not know where to go from here, other than reporting that my car has been stolen. Any advice appreciated.

Moderator edit: no naming & shaming allowed.

Edited by jeremyc on Thursday 29th May 15:33

[0markymark0]

I feel for you and hope you get some sort of resolution but please take notice that a website that has a contact number as a mobile and not a landline would immeditaley raise suspisions with me.

[singlecoil]

Excellent lurking.


Was the car insured? If so, report it stolen and collect the insurance money eventually.

[markmullen]

singlecoil said:

Was the car insured? If so, report it stolen and collect the insurance money eventually.

As the OP handed over the keys I think he'll struggle massively to get paid out as a theft, the insurers will view it as a civil dispute with the dealer.

[carinaman]

This and Synchromesh's S-Type oil starvation failure reminds me of an incident in my past. It's not nice.

[0markymark0]

Sory, it appears my post failed the mods so was deleted.

I would sugegst, without any links, using a who.is type serviceto see who runs the website. Then, if that gives you the name of the person then possibly googling that name to get the contact for the registered directer of the business. This may help you getting your car back.

[clarkey]

Apologies if my post gets deleted by mods too!

[jakesmith]

Stories like this are the reason why people are scared to buy outside of the main dealer network

[Eclassy]

This kind of stuff boils my blood.

I wont blame you OP cause barstewards like Mr A.A prey on people like you and I. They are more likely to succeed in their scam when ''victims'' have travelled long distances . They know you are more likely to buy the car as your heart will rule on the day.

I have travelled 300 miles to buy a car but that was brand new. I'd never go further than 50 miles to buy a used car unless it wass from a big manufacturer approved dealer.

The sad thing like someone already pointed out is that youi cant claim on insurance, nor will the police get involved. It is a civil case which means MR A.A can go on and do this to many more people for as long as he likes.

Edited by Eclassy on Thursday 29th May 16:35

[clarkey]

I deleted my earlier post due to naming and shaming rules.

1. Find out who the website is registered to on www.whois.co.uk
2. Search for his name on www.duedil.com
3. This will show the real name of the company and the registered address
4. Contact him there and see what he says.
5. Pass the details onto the Police.

[starkeyy]

Did a whois lookup on him before I made the post but I'm not convinced that it's actually his name. Surely if he is depriving me of my vehicle and I don't know where it is, the police would get involved?

[clarkey]

He is a director of a company that is clearly related to the website though. Just report it stolen - you left it somewhere now its all gone. The police will probably try to argue it's a civil matter, but no harm in asking.

[MrBarry123]

What method did you use to purchase the car?

[starkeyy]

clarkey said:

He is a director of a company that is clearly related to the website though. Just report it stolen - you left it somewhere now its all gone. The police will probably try to argue it's a civil matter, but no harm in asking.

Thanks for the link to the website, have the address now so that's a start I suppose.

[starkeyy]

MrBarry123 said:

What method did you use to purchase the car?

Paid most of it in cash, and a few hundred on debit card.

[starkeyy]

As expected the police won't get involved as it's apparently a civil matter.

Edited by starkeyy on Sunday 8th June 20:05

[Jasandjules]

starkeyy said:

As expected the police won't get involved as it's apparently a civil matter. If anyone see's a blue polo registration X81 BTA around the Hampshire area please let me know!

Why do they suggest it is not theft?

[Jim the Sunderer]

As a layman I can certainly see where the police are coming from.

"A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it; and “thief” and “steal” shall be construed accordingly." Theft Act 1968

[Mad Dave]

I disagree about it being a civil matter personally; if he was simply refusing to give it back due to a dispute about cost etc then that would be civil, however, the vehicle was left with the garage for work and they've taken it and disappeared - I would argue that the moment he reduced it into his possession by removing it, that's when he dishonestly appropriated it, not when you left it with him as at that time you both 'possessed it'. The intention to permanently deprive is pretty clearly made out too. Just my 2p.

[POORCARDEALER]

police will have zero interest