Another buyer trying it on

[ashmela23]

Hi, new to the site so sorry if this topic has been covered, sold a Volvo V70 12 plate on AT during the last week. Buyer called me asked the relavant questions and was happy to proceed, gave a deposit and arranged collection on 25/09/25, after arriving late via train he came dumped his belongings in the car and we did bank transfer to which the person said " are you happy and wanting to go ahead" his reply was yes and that if it breaks down its down to me, one thing which was unusual was he wanted the full logbook with him and to be fair l didnt question it- but l done the online sale in the morning.

Sale done and he left and l sent him a message to say thanks, he replied " Nice car thanks for persevering in the sale- that was 23:04. The next morning at around 08:28 l sent a courtesy just to see he got home safely, he replied that currently he is at Cannock services where he has been since 03:00 due to sudden overheating and rod knock noise, l then in total shock said how and why and to be fair to him he just put it down to one of those things.

Fast forward today and the mood has changed- first he sends a video of the engine with noise, then various messages saying turbo gone, engine knackered etc. He then sends a message to say he is rejecting the sale due to description and that car with 150k and 12 plate should not be in that condition, l tell him that he bought sold & tested and that the car was perfect for him to drive 100+ miles before he broke down, today he sends a message saying he has pre-applied for small claims court and that either:

l pay the £1995 ( full price of car) back to him

l pay £1095 for repairs towards engine- dont know what inspection he has had , and that if this is paid he will keep the car and get v5 in his name ( l have already done this online)

Now l have read quite a lot reagarding this and most say to ignore but worry is that if he goes small claims court then as far as im concerned he was happy to proceed, sent the " nice car " message signed paper stating and drove 100+ miles.

Sorry but l am very confused and would welcome any suggestions

Thanks

Ash

[junglie]

Only one post so perhaps a troll.

However, if not, caveat emptor.

End of.

[POIDH]

Are you a trader or a private sale?

[Funk]

Start here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[ashmela23]

Private sale

[Super Sonic]

Another?

[Xcore]

Your be fine aslong as your not deemed an expert I.e mechanic or motor trader

[ashmela23]

No car was fathers who passed away- private sale

[RSTurboPaul]

ashmela23 said:

Hi, new to the site so sorry if this topic has been covered, sold a Volvo V70 12 plate on AT during the last week. Buyer called me asked the relavant questions and was happy to proceed, gave a deposit and arranged collection on 25/09/25, after arriving late via train he came dumped his belongings in the car and we did bank transfer to which the person said " are you happy and wanting to go ahead" his reply was yes and that if it breaks down its down to me, one thing which was unusual was he wanted the full logbook with him and to be fair l didnt question it- but l done the online sale in the morning.

Sale done and he left and l sent him a message to say thanks, he replied " Nice car thanks for persevering in the sale- that was 23:04. The next morning at around 08:28 l sent a courtesy just to see he got home safely, he replied that currently he is at Cannock services where he has been since 03:00 due to sudden overheating and rod knock noise, l then in total shock said how and why and to be fair to him he just put it down to one of those things.

Fast forward today and the mood has changed- first he sends a video of the engine with noise, then various messages saying turbo gone, engine knackered etc. He then sends a message to say he is rejecting the sale due to description and that car with 150k and 12 plate should not be in that condition, l tell him that he bought sold & tested and that the car was perfect for him to drive 100+ miles before he broke down, today he sends a message saying he has pre-applied for small claims court and that either:

l pay the £1995 ( full price of car) back to him

l pay £1095 for repairs towards engine- dont know what inspection he has had , and that if this is paid he will keep the car and get v5 in his name ( l have already done this online)

Now l have read quite a lot reagarding this and most say to ignore but worry is that if he goes small claims court then as far as im concerned he was happy to proceed, sent the " nice car " message signed paper stating and drove 100+ miles.

Sorry but l am very confused and would welcome any suggestions

Thanks

Ash

I believe 'see you in court' might be a suitable response


Did you both sign receipts to say 'sold as seen'?

[Ian Geary]

A complete pita for you.

Has the buyer provided anti actual proof of this failure?

And i assume the advert didn't say anything like "this car will last for years", or "this car will never break down" etc.

I have read stories of some judges quibbling over wording like this, and i think some private sellers falling down where they have deliberately mis led in an advert, or over-extended theor position.

Not saying anything like that has happened here- the law is quite clear that as a private seller the risk is all on the buyer for an honestly described car.

[RSTurboPaul]

It could be worthwhile posting up the advert text.

[Terminator X]

Sold as seen, tell him to FRO. Just defend any paperwork that comes through eg don't ignore it.

TX.

[FilH]

Wants £1095 to repair , overheating and rod knock noise and turbo gone.

That sounds like hes made a complete load of crap up, would cost more than that just for parts!

[ashmela23]

Yes both of signed it, l mean seriously would l get the buyer to travel 220 miles away to buy a car that he claims l knew was misrepresented only to break down?

Hes either one determined guy or smoking super strength

[ashmela23]

No he hasnt supplied any quotes, apparently his mechanic diagnosed turbo, engine failure from a video call, this is the advert we put up:

2012 62 reg Volvo V70 1.6SE , automatic, mot till january 2026, 150k mileage, FSH , last serviced at 149k, 4 new tyres, cambelt changed in 2024, gearbox fluid changed, lots of maintenance and parts replaced, drives very well no issues, bodywork interior clean for age and mileage, full leather, electrics all work, fantastic on fuel 68 mpg, full tank 900 miles, 35 road tax per year. Good car for family use, bought for summer as we needed a estate and now not required.

He claims this was misrepresented and the car for its age and mileage should not suffer from the alleged isssues

[808 Estate]

Block his phone number.

[Giantt]

ashmela23 said:

No car was fathers who passed away- private sale

Really,a mechanic, possibly lawnmowers, selling his own car is liable for it after the money changes hands?
150k mileage car lol why you even bothering to ask,of course he's trying it on

[M4cruiser]

The only dodgy bit is "drives very well no issues" - I wouldn't have put that, but even so it relates to the day you sold it, not 100 miles later.

[Jamescrs]

Don't engage with the buyer further, it's a 2k car with 150k miles for god sake, i've bought those myself and you take a risk at that value.

Tewll him to issue court proceedings if that's what he wants to do.

[georgeyboy12345]

What do you mean by “Another” buyer trying it on? Is this not the first time for you? Do you do this kind of thing regularly?