Have I been sold a dud, and do I have any comeback?

[CMacC]

I bought a 208 GTI as a winter runaround a couple of weeks back. The car was CAT S- with a load of pictures and invoices showing the damage (Vandalisim to the Roof) It had a few other cosmetic marks here and there, nothing of concern.
The seller advertised on FB marketplace as a private seller, but I later discovered he currently has 5 other cars for sale.
As I do with all new cars, I gave it a wash and polish, and discovered the water was pouring into the drivers footwell - an easy enough fix, cleaned the windscreen channel (filler dust leaves and crud). I also discovered that the front tyres were to the wire on the inside - couldn't see this on full lock. Contacted the seller - he said "Tough luck buddy, sold as seen"
Fixed a few other small faults, rear spoiler was loose, topped up fluids etc. Last week the engine management light came on - Variable valve timing - Suspect it's a new solenoid required.
Another small issue is that the tyres foul the arches on full lock - not sure if this is normal for a 208?

Anyway, bottom line - do I have any comeback on the guy, who clearly is a trader?

I've tried to contact him the last 2 weeks, notified him of the defects etc, got no response, he blocked my number. I was in the area today, so stopped y his house to see if he was there - noticed the cars advertised parked around the estate - He called me this evening warning me that h knows where I live - the car was sold as seen and that he knew where I lived, and that if i didn't f**k off, then I'd better watch my back or something would happen"

Not sure what to do -----Advice?

[Djtemeka]

I’d take snap shots of the cars he’s selling as this evidence that he’s a trader flouting the rules. You could go down that route.

[ruggedscotty]

I knew someone that had something like this found out that there was a few cars for sale, he got a couple of friends to express interest and then meet up with him, with a few other of his friends. menaces in another language, this guy sounds like a despicable character and selling you gumf then being boysy boy aggressive.... all bravado.

Im pretty sure there will be issues there with him that you can exploit if he gets all heavy, you know where he stays ? and there would be plenty of oppo to front him right back.

[darreni]

You’ve bought a cat s banger off Facebook and it has issues you say?

The best time to check the car over is before you buy it, not after.

[Geesmum1]

Call consumers affairs, they give lots of advice If you can prove his trading you have more rights than buying from a private seller.

[Sheepshanks]

It's a criminal offence to sell an unroadworthy car, but good luck getting officialdom to take any notice.

[Butter Face]

Butter Face said:

The civic for sure.

Jamescrs said:

Civic without a doubt

Don Roque said:

Even if the Peugeot didn't have a colourful history, I'd still say the Civic. They're so good you'll probably want to use it all year round.

Roboticarm said:

Id go for the civic too

[Nickp82]

^^^

[ZX10R NIN]

You bought a Cat S without getting it checked & are now concerned you may have be a dud.

[steveo3002]

ZX10R NIN said:

You bought a Cat S without getting it checked & are now concerned you may have be a dud.

fair point...you had the opportunity to check for worn tyres and a loose spoiler etc , kinda sounds like it is what it is, a cheap tarted up ex write off

[Deep Thought]

CMacC said:

I bought a 208 GTI as a winter runaround a couple of weeks back. The car was CAT S- with a load of pictures and invoices showing the damage (Vandalisim to the Roof) It had a few other cosmetic marks here and there, nothing of concern.
The seller advertised on FB marketplace as a private seller, but I later discovered he currently has 5 other cars for sale.
As I do with all new cars, I gave it a wash and polish, and discovered the water was pouring into the drivers footwell - an easy enough fix, cleaned the windscreen channel (filler dust leaves and crud). I also discovered that the front tyres were to the wire on the inside - couldn't see this on full lock. Contacted the seller - he said "Tough luck buddy, sold as seen"
Fixed a few other small faults, rear spoiler was loose, topped up fluids etc. Last week the engine management light came on - Variable valve timing - Suspect it's a new solenoid required.
Another small issue is that the tyres foul the arches on full lock - not sure if this is normal for a 208?

Anyway, bottom line - do I have any comeback on the guy, who clearly is a trader?

I've tried to contact him the last 2 weeks, notified him of the defects etc, got no response, he blocked my number. I was in the area today, so stopped y his house to see if he was there - noticed the cars advertised parked around the estate - He called me this evening warning me that h knows where I live - the car was sold as seen and that he knew where I lived, and that if i didn't f**k off, then I'd better watch my back or something would happen"

Not sure what to do -----Advice?

From your original post, you knew he'd bought it to resell, and knew it needed tyres?

CMacC said:

it needs new front tyres and there is note of a minor leak on the exhaust as an advisory on the MOT. the seller bought it and fixed it to sell

[Deep Thought]

However, now that you have it and you've not got a pups chance of pursuing the seller for anything, i'd run with the last advice you got on the other thread

Sort out the niggles and keep it until it drops - you've still got a cheap car.

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd go for the 208 with a view of keeping it until it drops.

[CMacC]

Look, I knew the car wasnt perfect, and I hold my hands up on the tyres, I ran my hand across the top of them and looked at them on full lock, I knew they were close to the limit too, but the flip side is that there were issues with the car that were deliberately concealed.

[CMacC]

Deep Thought said:

However, now that you have it and you've not got a pups chance of pursuing the seller for anything, i'd run with the last advice you got on the other thread

Sort out the niggles and keep it until it drops - you've still got a cheap car.

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd go for the 208 with a view of keeping it until it drops.

That's the plan, to be fair, I think the 208 is an underrated little car, its soft enough to use as a daily, returns 48mpg on a commute, and can be fun on the right road. still love the type r, but it's not an everyday car for my commute

[steveo3002]

how much is the solenoid ?

[Deep Thought]

CMacC said:

Look, I knew the car wasnt perfect, and I hold my hands up on the tyres, I ran my hand across the top of them and looked at them on full lock, I knew they were close to the limit too, but the flip side is that there were issues with the car that were deliberately concealed.

I think - unless you really want a "battle" and all the stress hassle anger rage annoyance and maybe cost that brings - you should chalk it up to experience.

Theres nothing there really thats insurmountable. The tyres you did know about they're just even worse than you thought and you did know the guy bought it to resell. Corners are ALWAYS cut in those circumstances.

I'd do the bits it needs as and when. You've got a cheap car and as has been said on the other thread, buy it and run it in to the ground.

[Deep Thought]

CMacC said:

That's the plan, to be fair, I think the 208 is an underrated little car, its soft enough to use as a daily, returns 48mpg on a commute, and can be fun on the right road. still love the type r, but it's not an everyday car for my commute

I'd genuinely just be taking my time and fix the wee bits and pieces and enjoying the car. You'll come to hate the car if you get embroiled in any sort of "action" against the seller. He'll get his come uppence at some point. They always do. It never ends well for people who live their lives like that.

I bought a 2013 Focus ST sight unseen at a trade auction. Described as having a bad water leak (yup DEFINITELY had!!) excess wear to the drivers seat, some minor bits that would need addressed too.

I got it cheap and i've spent a month getting it "right" but its been nice to do and i've got the car to the standard i want. Will it ever be perfect? No. Do i care? No. Ive got it looking the best it can and i've still saved money.

I'd be doing exactly that with that 208 if it was mine.