Just bought a car ..

[Jay_12]

Hi all

Sorry if this is in the wrong section, please move or delete if so.

I bought a car today, nothing special a 2003 punto for the sum of £500.

Upon viewing there was nothing I could see (I am not a mechanic by any means) that would of warranted me not to buy the car, the guy seemed friendly and honest (silly of me to presume I know) and said the car had just passed its MOT and there was no issues that were not resolved.

Driving home just 10 miles or so, in that short distance the EBS light came on the dashboard .. and when driving a further 20 miles to a friends just an hour later I noticed heavy knocking when turning the wheel (when stationary or coasting) which I did not notice when I viewed the car.

I am not a petrol head by any means, and have never had a problem with buying a car in the past, should I just take it back? What are my rights, if any?

The "dealership" was not the best looking nor was I expecting much for my money, I would of been happy to get 6 months out of it! But the same day driving home this does not look good .. any advice for a car novice would be much appreciated!

Many thanks

[L17RMG]

Don’t hold me to it, but I’m sure if you’ve bought from a proper dealer, they have to give you at least 3 months warranty. If it’s a private sale I believe it’s ‘sold as seen’ and you won’t have much luck. Someone else may be able to provide a more definitive answer!

[TommyBuoy]

There are vastly more informed on here than me, but considering you bought it from a business you have some comeback.

However, you don't mention whether you have contacted the seller? This would be the first thing to do - never know, they might be very helpful and either sort it or return your cash.

As I say, others will be along soon, but the simplest option might just work out

[Butter Face]

Jay_12 said:

Hi all

£500.

Many thanks

Uh huh.

You paid £500. They probably paid £100. A £500 15 year old car is going to have issues, the sooner you understand that the better.

[Burgerbob]

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/the...

I would suggest that you are on the phone to the dealer tomorrow. Tell them the problems you have with the car and give them the option of accepting the car back for a full refund or fixing the car. Personally I would push for a refund as I would always be suspicious of the dealer bodging a fix.

Worth a read of the above

[andymc]

L17RMG said:

Don’t hold me to it, but I’m sure if you’ve bought from a proper dealer, they have to give you at least 3 months warranty. If it’s a private sale I believe it’s ‘sold as seen’ and you won’t have much luck. Someone else may be able to provide a more definitive answer!

they dont have to give any warranty, they do have to make sure the car is fit for purpose, why the fk didnt you take someone with you

[SimonTheSailor]

here we go again.......custard tin on the punto please.........

[Burgerbob]

Butter Face said:

Jay_12 said:

Hi all

£500.

Many thanks

Uh huh.

You paid £500. They probably paid £100. A £500 15 year old car is going to have issues, the sooner you understand that the better.

Harsh - yes its an old car, its a fiat, its going to have problems. But you can still legally expect to be able to drive home before it breaks down.

[andymc]

EBS? ABS you mean, it will be an ABS ring probs so no huge issue

[Butter Face]

L17RMG said:

Don’t hold me to it, but I’m sure if you’ve bought from a proper dealer, they have to give you at least 3 months warranty. If it’s a private sale I believe it’s ‘sold as seen’ and you won’t have much luck. Someone else may be able to provide a more definitive answer!

Incorrect.


Also, I reckon the ‘dealer’ won’t be a Dealer, OP may as well have bought from a bloke in a car park at night, in the rain for all the ‘rights’ he’ll likely be able to enforce.

[andymc]

Jay_12 said:

Hi all

Sorry if this is in the wrong section, please move or delete if so.

I bought a car today, nothing special a 2003 punto for the sum of £500.

Upon viewing there was nothing I could see (I am not a mechanic by any means) that would of warranted me not to buy the car, the guy seemed friendly and honest (silly of me to presume I know) and said the car had just passed its MOT and there was no issues that were not resolved.

Driving home just 10 miles or so, in that short distance the EBS light came on the dashboard .. and when driving a further 20 miles to a friends just an hour later I noticed heavy knocking when turning the wheel (when stationary or coasting) which I did not notice when I viewed the car.

I am not a petrol head by any means, and have never had a problem with buying a car in the past, should I just take it back? What are my rights, if any?

The "dealership" was not the best looking nor was I expecting much for my money, I would of been happy to get 6 months out of it! But the same day driving home this does not look good .. any advice for a car novice would be much appreciated!

Many thanks

why woild you drive 20 miles with a warnibg light on and then panic???

[L17RMG]

Butter Face said:

Incorrect.


Also, I reckon the ‘dealer’ won’t be a Dealer, OP may as well have bought from a bloke in a car park at night, in the rain for all the ‘rights’ he’ll likely be able to enforce.

Apologies, I must’ve been misinformed, that’s what I was told by a dealer who sold me one of my previous cars.

[kambites]

andymc said:

EBS? ABS you mean, it will be an ABS ring probs so no huge issue

Or EPS; Puntos of that era are renowned for power steering motor problems.

[Jay_12]

Thanks for all replies.

To the more salty posts, like I said I knew I was not going to get much .. I wasn't expecting a lot for 500 quid however, 30 odd miles since buying the car surely my money is worth more than that lol. Just needed a run around for work till the end of the summer. Was just looking on some advice is all.

I will contact them tomorrow.

Thanks again!

[kambites]

Butter Face said:

Incorrect.

It is indeed incorrect, but if it was sold by a dealer the OP does have a statutory right to assume the car will be "fit for purpose". Most delaers dischange that by offering a short warranty. It's quite hard to argue that a warning light which will cause it to fail an MoT constitutes "fit for purpose".

If it was bought from a private seller you ahve no come-back, whether it was £500 or £500k.

[Jay_12]

andymc said:

why woild you drive 20 miles with a warnibg light on and then panic???

The light came on between me driving from buying the car to home, the brakes still worked .. I took it to a friends for them to have a quick look.

[curlie467]

I could have sold you an ibiza tdi for £400 which would go to the moon and back, twice.

I can't help but good luck, just ring the dealer, go from there and report back.

[0ddball]

Basically you have no comeback. There are hundreds of bottom feeder dealers out there selling crap riddled with faults to naive people looking for a cheap run about.

As already said, if a dealer is selling a car for £500, it's actually a £200 car at best. Much better taking a chance with private sellers.

Technically the law is on your side, but unless you want to waste lots of time and stress fighting your corner you are at the mercy of whether the dealer is a decent sort (very unlikely).

[SebastienClement]

Jay_12 said:

The light came on between me driving from buying the car to home, the brakes still worked .. I took it to a friends for them to have a quick look.

It's not a red Punto with the reg starting YC53 is it?

[Jay_12]

0ddball said:

Basically you have no comeback. There are hundreds of bottom feeder dealers out there selling crap riddled with faults to naive people looking for a cheap run about.

As already said, if a dealer is selling a car for £500, it's actually a £200 car at best. Much better taking a chance with private sellers.

Technically the law is on your side, but unless you want to waste lots of time and stress fighting your corner you are at the mercy of whether the dealer is a decent sort (very unlikely).

Thank you.

SebastienClement said:

It's not a red Punto with the reg starting YC53 is it?

No it's not lol.