Sold car, buyer wants money back. Advice please.

[RevNuts]

Yesterday I sold a car for £1000 to a twenty something lad. Today, his father rang, said that his mechanic thinks the cambelt and head gasket needs doing, which apparently will cost £400, and now he want his money back, or alternatively, wants me to pay the £400 repair bill!

I was truthful in when I sold him the car, mentioning that the wheel bearing needed doing. But honestly, to my knowledge, absolutely nothing else needed attention.

So, what would you do? My conscience wants to do the right thing, but then again it was 'sold as seen' (although I didn't make him sign a sales receipt to say as much.)

Incidentially, his father has threatened me with court and informed me that his brother is a policeman (as if that makes any difference when deciding a private matter in court.)

Thanks.

[Soovy]

RevNuts said:

Yesterday I sold a car for £1000 to a twenty something lad. Today, his father rang, said that his mechanic thinks the cambelt and head gasket needs doing, which apparently will cost £400, and now he want his money back, or alternatively, wants me to pay the £400 repair bill!

I was truthful in when I sold him the car, mentioning that the wheel bearing needed doing. But honestly, to my knowledge, absolutely nothing else needed attention.

So, what would you do? My conscience wants to do the right thing, but then again it was 'sold as seen' (although I didn't make him sign a sales receipt to say as much.)

Incidentially, his father has threatened me with court and informed me that his brother is a policeman (as if that makes any difference when deciding a private matter in court.)

Thanks.

I am going to say this once, and only once.


Tell him to DO ONE

Was the car running when he drove it away? Yes it was.

Was it a private sale? Yes it was.

Did he have chance to see the car before he handed over the money? Yes he did.



His brother is a policeman? SHOVE IT UP YOUR AR5E AND FACK OFF WHILE YOU'RE DOING IT!!!! What the FACK difference does that make? None.


Do one.

Edited by Soovy on Tuesday 11th October 14:35

[bloodfart]

Ignore him.

[13 DJP]

Didi you give him a receipt stating "sold as seen"? and keep a copy for yourself?

[Frog Dog]

People are mugs.

[Chrisw666]

Tell his Father to take you to court.

It will end up with them even more out of pocket.

[RevNuts]

13 DJP said:

Didi you give him a receipt stating "sold as seen"? and keep a copy for yourself?

No, I should have though. Does this make a difference?

[forsure]

It's his problem now, not yours.

They should have had their mechanic look at it before doing the deal.

[E30M3SE]

Tell them to take you to court, unless of course you are in the motortrade.

Sounds like the father just wants the car for £600.

[Baryonyx]

I don't think the recepit matters, it just strengthens your case. Explain to him how a private car sale works, apologise if he feels hard done by and tell him to chalk it up as a life lesson.

[andy-xr]

There's nothing other than your good nature to make you take it back. If the mechanic says this (and lets be honest, I don't know many mechanics who wouldn't say something needs fixing) then maybe they should have taken him along before they bought the car rather than after

Same as another thread, it's their car now so if they're that concerned they should probably get those things fixed.

I'm assuming you've not passed on a lemon, otherwise karma gods will come for you

[crofty1984]

Surely that's a maintenance item? Will you be paying for a set of new tyres when they wear out?

Unless you've put in writing that the car has recently had a cambelt service when it hasn't I can't see what case there is to answer.

[Hugo a Gogo]

cam belt needs doing?

ie mechanic has said "the cambelt needs doing at xxxxx miles"

that doesn't mean the car is defective, it's a service item - a dear one, but still

[SMcP114]

RevNuts said:

13 DJP said:

Didi you give him a receipt stating "sold as seen"? and keep a copy for yourself?

No, I should have though. Does this make a difference?

Makes absolutely no difference whatsoever.

There is absolutely no comeback in a case like this.

Now it's down to you to decide if you want to hand him his money back, although I know what I'd be telling him.

[300bhp/ton]

RevNuts said:

Yesterday I sold a car for £1000 to a twenty something lad. Today, his father rang, said that his mechanic thinks the cambelt and head gasket needs doing, which apparently will cost £400, and now he want his money back, or alternatively, wants me to pay the £400 repair bill!

I was truthful in when I sold him the car, mentioning that the wheel bearing needed doing. But honestly, to my knowledge, absolutely nothing else needed attention.

So, what would you do? My conscience wants to do the right thing, but then again it was 'sold as seen' (although I didn't make him sign a sales receipt to say as much.)

Incidentially, his father has threatened me with court and informed me that his brother is a policeman (as if that makes any difference when deciding a private matter in court.)

Thanks.

Umm how can you not know the answer to this?

Seriously, maybe research before hand next time.


Unless you are a trader, in which I'd friggin hope you wouldn't ask such a basic question, then no, you have responsibility at all. It's a private sale and unless they can prove that you somehow defrauded them, by false advertising or other means then no.

If the car went bang on the way home after they bought it - tough!

If they persist with claiming court action, say "fine, no probs. You have my address" and leave it at that.

[Superhoop]

Tell him you'll see him in court, where he'll have less chance than a one legged man in an arse kicking contest

In fact he stands marginally more chance of knitting fog

[hornetrider]

Oh, one of these threads again, oh joy. I'm guessing 3-4 pages of "tell him to fk off, caveat emptor, sold as seen" etc etc.

Not necessarily a dig at you OP

[jamesson]

The new owner's father's mechanic thinks the cambelt and head gasket need fixing?

Why didn't they bring him along prior to buying so he could inspect it and make sure the car they were buying was in good condition?

They're trying it on.

The fact that the father's brother is a police officer has absolutely zero to do with it and shame on him for even trying that line to intimidate you into doing what he wants.

You are under no obligation whatsoever to do anything and if you are taken to court, all it will do is cost the new owner money, time and trouble.

You have absolutely nothing to worry about.

[MarkRSi]

What car is it?

Regardless I agree with the majority of replies

[Lefty]

RevNuts said:

13 DJP said:

Didi you give him a receipt stating "sold as seen"? and keep a copy for yourself?

No, I should have though. Does this make a difference?

No.