Van purchase turns sour...
Van purchase turns sour...
Author
Discussion

chancha

Original Poster:

150 posts

249 months

Friday 9th April 2010
quotequote all
Hi, I'm looking for a bit of advice regarding a van I've bought for my business.

The van was bought in January from a dealer that was advertised through an internet based website.
It turns out the van was not the same van that was advertised at the time ie not the same engine capacity or power output. This I could put up with because it is only a works van. However, after a few days I noticed a problem with the van and notified the dealer that it was not running properly. He infored me that due to the distances involved ( me being in Scotland and him being in Nottinghamshire) that I should get it fixed and then send him the bill. The cheque didn't materialise, so I decided to look into the previous history of the van. I bought the van with 33k but it turns out that it had a previous MOT in Oct of last year with 83k. On contacting the dealer he expressed concern that this had happened and he would look into it. Days turned to weeks and you can guess the outcome. He agreed to take the van back for one with a genuine service history but even this has caused problems with him not being specific about the van in question. The van has now developed various problems that are going to cost upwards of £2000 of work, clutch, flywheel, master cylinder, slave, timing belt, a glow plug light on the dash etc. He is now not answering my phone calls because he says I am bothering him!!!!
The fly in the ointment however is that I was sent the wrong reg document from the DVLA from another van he had sold to someone else. I checked the previous MOT's for this van as well and it "appears" to have been mot'd last year with a mileage of 82k and sold by him with 37k. Is it me or is there a trend developing here?

My real question is however, can I do anything about getting my money back? I've contacted trading standards but from a legal point of view what are my options?

Chim Girl

6,268 posts

289 months

Friday 9th April 2010
quotequote all
Is the van subject to finance, HP or lease?

chancha

Original Poster:

150 posts

249 months

Friday 9th April 2010
quotequote all
Unfortunatley I paid cash

TooLateForAName

4,933 posts

214 months

Saturday 10th April 2010
quotequote all
Is he a sole trader or ltd co?

Contact the last owners and find out if they sold to the trader direct or if they went to auction. Get proof that the clocking happened in his hands.

How much did you pay?

530dTPhil

1,420 posts

248 months

Saturday 10th April 2010
quotequote all
Trading Standards would be very interested, I think.

maser_spyder

6,356 posts

212 months

Saturday 10th April 2010
quotequote all
Formally reject it with a letter by recorded post - Sale of goods act. Get Trading Standards on-side too beforehand, they'll open a case, it can't do any harm to have it documented.

If he doesn't respond, make a county court claim with moneyclaimonline for the purchase price, plus interest.

If what you say can be proven, he's not got a leg to stand on.

Whether he's got any cash to pay you with is another matter though I'm afraid.

escargot

17,123 posts

247 months

Sunday 11th April 2010
quotequote all
maser_spyder said:
Formally reject it with a letter by recorded post - Sale of goods act. Get Trading Standards on-side too beforehand, they'll open a case, it can't do any harm to have it documented.

If he doesn't respond, make a county court claim with moneyclaimonline for the purchase price, plus interest.

If what you say can be proven, he's not got a leg to stand on.

Whether he's got any cash to pay you with is another matter though I'm afraid.
Agreed.

chancha

Original Poster:

150 posts

249 months

Sunday 11th April 2010
quotequote all
maser_spyder said:
Formally reject it with a letter by recorded post - Sale of goods act. Get Trading Standards on-side too beforehand, they'll open a case, it can't do any harm to have it documented.

If he doesn't respond, make a county court claim with moneyclaimonline for the purchase price, plus interest.

If what you say can be proven, he's not got a leg to stand on.

Whether he's got any cash to pay you with is another matter though I'm afraid.
thanks guys, I've got an interview with trading standards this coming week


An Oasis

123 posts

218 months

Sunday 11th April 2010
quotequote all
Make sure your document everything, it could turn out into a long drawn out affair and you will want to be able to claim any expenditure allowable back.

chancha

Original Poster:

150 posts

249 months

Sunday 11th April 2010
quotequote all
An Oasis said:
Make sure your document everything, it could turn out into a long drawn out affair and you will want to be able to claim any expenditure allowable back.
will do, thanks