Where do I stand?

[mpm1987]

Friend of mine brought a car last month from a trader working at home, apparantly been doing it for the last 25 years.

He brought the car, px-ing his old one, and has a reciept etc to prove it.

Now the car has gone to be checked over today, and his mechanic has said the headgasket is slowly on his way out.

Being that he brought it from a trader, does he have a foot to stand on? Or is he out of luck?

Are there trading standards rules etc he can fall back on?

Thanks!

[11110111]

caveat emptor

[Silverbullet767]

3 months warranty usually, and its bought, you didn't bring the car anywhere from the trader..

[Arese]

Brought it where?

[POORCARDEALER]

"Headgasket slowly on way out"


Can you clarify that to me?

[Risotto]

Trading from home isn't necessarily an indication that the dealer is in any way dodgy, particularly if he was open about the fact he was a trader.

Doesn't do any harm to ask the seller if he'd be prepared to contribute to the cost of the repairs.

[Mini_Lund]

POORCARDEALER said:

"Headgasket slowly on way out"


Can you clarify that to me?

Is the mechanic a Rover specialist?

[mpm1987]

POORCARDEALER said:

"Headgasket slowly on way out"


Can you clarify that to me?

The engine had a compression test, and failed it.

[TheCarpetCleaner]

I had exactly the same problem recently.

Purchased a car (non rover so odd ) from a trader, did less than 70 miles and the head gasket failed.

The repair was covered mostly by the RAC warranty (up to £500) as the dealer is not taht local to me, and the dealer covered the remainder (total bill was nearly £650 for replacement water pump, all fluids, skimming, gasket set, bolts etc...)

If something like that goes so suddenly on a vehcile that is of reasonable standard - not a £150 scrapper for example, it can be reasonably assumed that the vehicle had the problem before sale and the dealer will need to put it right.

I am not a car dealer or a lawyer etc etc etc, and probably some of what I have written may be bks, but its always worked for me, including this occasion.

[CampDavid]

Depends on a bunch of stuff. If it was a 3 year old, low mileage car then you've more of a case than if it's a £100 stter.

Speak to the trader first, see if he'll sort it and then look at other avenues if he doesn't

[HellDiver]

mpm1987 said:

POORCARDEALER said:

"Headgasket slowly on way out"


Can you clarify that to me?

The engine had a compression test, and failed it.

So it couldn't be a sticky valve or dodgy piston ring then?

[Tallbut Buxomly]

mpm1987 said:

Friend of mine broughtbought a car last month from a trader working at home, apparantly been doing it for the last 25 years.

He broughtbought the car, px-ing his old one, and has a reciept etc to prove it.

Now the car has gone to be checked over today, and his mechanic has said the headgasket is slowly on his way out.

Being that he broughtbought it from a trader, does he have a foot to stand on? Or is he out of luck?

Are there trading standards rules etc he can fall back on?

Thanks!

Edited by Tallbut Buxomly on Wednesday 14th April 14:31

[james_tigerwoods]

Surely if he's a registered trader, it doesn't matter where he's operating from and your rights are the same as with any trader?

[POORCARDEALER]

mpm1987 said:

POORCARDEALER said:

"Headgasket slowly on way out"


Can you clarify that to me?

The engine had a compression test, and failed it.

Does it have a misfire?

[mpm1987]

Im not sure whether it had a misfire. Just asking for a friend.

Quick search on the net, and I have found this:

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/advice/problems...

Seems to sum up what he needs to quote.

[Harry Flashman]

Actually (and this is for academic interest - I do not intend to claim as the guy I bought the car from was actually excellent, IMHO), I'm interested.

Electronic throttle on my £1700 2 week old purchase has gone. Dealer could not have known abut it - as it is a sealed unit and there is no bodging it to get a buyer to believe it's OK. I don't think he intended to cheat me, but he has supplied a duff car.

Sadly, it's a £350 replacement. Is the dealer technically liable - as the car is undriveable (and in fact dangerous) as it now is?

Edited by Harry Flashman on Wednesday 14th April 15:10

[Fastra]

CampDavid said:

Speak to the trader first, see if he'll sort it and then look at other avenues if he doesn't

Yep.

Give him a chance to reply and see what he reckons about it - there's an good chance he knew nothing about it. But do it politely, steaming in like a mong isn't going to achieve anything.

Tallbut Buxomly said:

mpm1987 said:

Friend of mine [s]brought[/s]bought a car last month from a trader working at home, apparantly been doing it for the last 25 years.

He [s]brought[/s]bought the car, px-ing his old one, and has a reciept etc to prove it.

Now the car has gone to be checked over today, and his mechanic has said the headgasket is slowly on his way out.

Being that he [s]brought[/s]bought it from a trader, does he have a foot to stand on? Or is he out of luck?

Are there trading standards rules etc he can fall back on?

Thanks!

x3



... Good God have you really nothing better to do???

[Fastra]

Harry Flashman said:

but he has supplied a duff car.

Of course it happens, no one's perfect. Have you spoke to him about it?
I would imagine any honest dealer would like to try and make amends?
Would he have any insurance that he would counter balance any payouts he might have to make?

[Harry Flashman]

Fastra said:

Harry Flashman said:

but he has supplied a duff car.

Of course it happens, no one's perfect. Have you spoke to him about it?
I would imagine any honest dealer would like to try and make amends?
Would he have any insurance that he would counter balance any payouts he might have to make?

That's sort of what I was asking. I don't believe he thought he was selling me a duff car - but it was (partially). I would like some comeback - but if that comeback would personally hurt the guy, I will bear the cost myself. That's what I mean; if the warranty is recoverable from an insurance company, I will claim. If he's going to have to take the car back/pay for rectifying it himself, for £300 I'm not going to bother him.

Capisce?

[james_tigerwoods]

What car was it?

If it was something 10 years old with interstellar mileage, I doubt you'll be able to claim. Given the cost of the car - at £1700 - I don't think you'll have much comeback really. Only Trading Standards would be able to comment if the trader won't help - you could ask for a "contribution" towards the costs (or offer the same)....