Deposit not return..

[todea20]

Long story short..i have contacted the seller and i have asked him details about the car.From our 10 mins conversation he has assured me everything works on the car and if i'll pay a deposit he will keep the car for me.Agreed and paid 300£ in his bank account by bank transfer.Couple days later went to collect the car just to discover that the keyless start wasn;t working.This not being a cheap fix i have asked him to reduce the price further to cover the cost for the fix.He refused so i've said that i'm sorry but i can't buy the car like that and asked him to return my deposit.He said he will but never got the money back...Should i take him to small claim court?He's not responding to my calls or txt anymore...Any advice please?!Thanks

[Dan_M5]

Private sale = No chance in getting money back

[SiH]

Send a 'Letter Before Action' informing the seller that you're giving them a certain period of time by which you expect to receive your deposit back or you'll start proceedings in the Small Claims Court. That can help to sharpen the focus of reluctant payers but it can't hurt to get your paperwork in order while you're waiting for your money back.

[zedx19]

You put a deposit on a car you haven't seen in the flesh via Bank Transfer? Is it a particularly rare car that sells fast?

[John145]

Dan_M5 said:

Honest private sale = No chance in getting money back
False representation of a vehicle private sale = Chance to get your money back

Edited for accuracy.

I believe you're in the latter camp.

[mgv8]

SiH said:

Send a 'Letter Before Action' informing the seller that you're giving them a certain period of time by which you expect to receive your deposit back or you'll start proceedings in the Small Claims Court. That can help to sharpen the focus of reluctant payers but it can't hurt to get your paperwork in order while you're waiting for your money back.

What he said.

[Grunt Futtock]

Have you got anything from your conversations with the seller in writing? Text messages, emails etc? It will help if it gets to court.

[speedking31]

Do you have a receipt?