Mrs bought clio from a trade, with problems and sold as seen

[amdowney]

So my GF passed her test and we decided for about £1k clio 1.2 would fit the bill nicely. After seeing a load of tatty ones we come across one in very good condition from a trade seller working from home and took it for a test drive. There was a slight exhaust rattle from the front at low revs but it drove well and we had enough of hunting so just went for it knowing for this money no car will be perfect.

The guy accepted £900 cash and he dropped the car off as the GF wasn't confdent driving on unknown roads yet.

2 days later I go out with her in it for the first time while she gets used to it and we didn't even get out of our street before it stalls with the orange coil engine light coming on. Great!

The next day I managed to get it going with enough revs to prevent the engine from stalling and get it around to the local garage by which time the light went off. It seems it had a front end rebuild and was told that perhaps the sensor on the top has just come loose which he pushed down on. Map sensor error code was in the memory. Then he takes it for a spin and we notice a load of fluid on the floor which seems to be coolant (looks like it's been topped up with water) so I am keeping an eye on the levels.

I get it back and today again on starting the orange light is back on!

So here we are with this car with leaking coolant and an electrical issue, sold by a tradesman at home who when doing the paperwork with my Polish GF put "sold as seen, tried and tested, no refund or warranties given' to which she had no idea about and signed the receipt.

I could punch him.

From what I gather though traders cannot take away consumer's rights by using terms such as ‘sold as seen’ unless they declare the problems as it should be fit for purpose.

I am going pay the local garage to plug the diagnostics machine back in to see what comes up now but I guess I need to make a judgement whether to go back to the dealer and kick up a fuss or not depending on the severity of the issues.

Is it worth me going back to this dodgy home dealer for the above issues already or could they be easily resolved? (I did call him when the light came on the first time and said its probably an o2 sensor, which need replacing like batteries so it's just bad luck) I guess I need to see what the garage says now but it's gonna cost!


Thanks anyone...

Edited by amdowney on Sunday 16th October 11:54

Edited by amdowney on Monday 17th October 21:32

[freecar]

Take it back for a refund, if he gives you any trouble quote SOGA at him, you know he's not allowed to discharge his responsibilities with a blanket statement like that, I'm sure he knows too!

[Glassman]

amdowney said:

I could punch him.

You mean her, shirley?

[sparkyhx]

I don't know if its just a guideline or law but I'm sure I read somewhere dealers have to give you 3 months warranty irrespective. - now warranty for what? is the next question.

[NoNeed]

Glassman said:

amdowney said:

I could punch him.

You mean her, shirley?

What did shirley do?

[Matt UK]

NoNeed said:

Glassman said:

amdowney said:

I could punch him.

You mean her, shirley?

What did shirley do?

Many moons a ago she formed a crap Pop duo with Pepsi.

[amdowney]

Strangely enought the car was from Shirley, Birmingham!

How can the GF have known though, Im annoyed at myself as would I have seent this I would have questioned why he added it, although it seems it won't stand for a lot if push comes to shove. PITA

[Kiltox]

As said, traders cannot back out of their responsibilities with a statement like that - take it back and raise hell if they aren't willing to fix it.

[POORCARDEALER]

Get bored of saying it on here, but why not pay a bit more and buy from a established garage with a reputation to protect???

Anyway, as stated the terms sold as seen etc etc mean nothing, unless the vehicle was sold as spares/repair only and it states this on a reciept signed by your girlfriend.

Be careful having the car looked at by other mechanics other than the seller, as it is possible this will negate the sellers responsibilities to you. (as someone else has "meddled" with the car)

Ring the seller up, explain the situation, see what he says.

[PumpkinSteve]

I had a similar electrical issue on mine, the ECU is housed in a sealed metal box on top of the engine, when the box becomes loose through vibration it will damage the wiring. Probably not the case for you but there's no harm in checking, for the sake of two minutes to open the bonnet.

http://www.renaultforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=42...

[amdowney]

Yep, seems it is infact illegal to say 'sold as seen etc', time to give him hell!

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandr...

[tim2100]

POORCARDEALER said:

Get bored of saying it on here, but why not pay a bit more and buy from a established garage with a reputation to protect???

Because again and again, people want to buy the car cheapest in the country and always expect main dealer backup as if its a new car instead of an old tired old small car for £1k that they have bought.

Edited by tim2100 on Sunday 16th October 15:55

[Hitch78]

tim2100 said:

Because again and again, people want to buy the car cheapest in the country and always expect main dealer backup as if its a new car instead of an old tired old small car for £1k that they have brought.

Bought

[tim2100]

Hitch78 said:

Bought

[amdowney]

But still for £1000 you are sold a car that is all working. Not leaking and stalling through a bodged repair. The seller is in the wrong clearly

[falkster]

tim2100 said:

Because again and again, people want to buy the car cheapest in the country and always expect main dealer backup as if its a new car instead of an old tired old small car for £1k that they have bought.

Edited by tim2100 on Sunday 16th October 15:55

They do expect the car to run for atleast a little while.

[amdowney]

Just an update on this, I told him the law in a big long text message and offered him the chance to resolve this the easy way by way of full refund. He offered to get it sorted saying 'oh 95% its just an o2 sensor, a Mickey Mouse job' and my garage probably doesnt know what they're on about. He collected it and took it to his garage who hadn't a clue, then a Renault specialist who have identified a clogged up throttle body causing the sensor fault and a leaky thermostat housing. Should be picking it up tomorrow and the guy has asked if I'd consider contributing £40 as a gesture of good will!?

Edited by amdowney on Monday 17th October 21:37

[Kiltox]

I hope you told him to foxtrot oscar - why should you show him any goodwill?

[Alfahorn]

Kiltox said:

I hope you told him to foxtrot oscar - why should you show him any goodwill?

Ditto

If I did that with my customers I can imagine the response I might receive.

[amdowney]

I'm going up with my mate tomorrow and all he's gonna get is laughed at I think.