Sold a car, buyer not happy. My rights and responsibilities?
Discussion
My daughter has just sold her 2001 Peugeot 106 for £300. She wasn't available when the buyer arrived so I dealt with the sale. The car was sold with 5 months MOT and as a base model car.
The buyer arrived with her disabled father and I opened up the doors, boot and bonnet. I explained it was the base model and as such didn't have central locking or electric windows. The buyers father and I agreed less to go wrong.
I started the engine and it was lovely and quiet as it always has been. We walked around the car and I pointed out a few stone chips that had begun to rust. None were any bigger than say 3mm across. Again we agreed normal for a car of this age.
I showed receipts for work recently done (new clutch) and from previous owners. Showed them the service booklet and any other paperwork. Current MOT shows a couple of advisories for 2 link pin bushes iirc. Father said it wouldn't be a problem.
I suggested we go for a test drive and the buyer who I had now figured out was learning to drive got into the back seat and the father automatically got into the passenger seat. Fair enough I thought, we could swap around up the road.
Go for a drive, car is quiet and no issues. The father says to turn around at next roundabout and come back to my house.
Park up. Go around the car again, they say they are happy and hand over the cash, no quibbles. We do the paperwork and I give them a receipt stating car registration, date and time of sale, price paid with a statement saying sold as seen, tested and inspected with no guarantees or warranty expressed or implied ( something taken from receipts when I have bought cars in the past )
At this point they ask if it's OK to leave the car where it is and come back with a friend to collect in the morning. Not a problem.
Shake hands and bid them fairwell.
This afternoon I'm at work and I get a message from buyer saying they are very unhappy with the car. Apparently they have found several faults....oil over the sump, something wrong with the exhaust, dipstick not seating correctly and no power steering. It's the lack of power steering that I think is the main problem.
My daughter learnt to drive in it and I didn't think it was heavy but apparently it's a major problem for them.
If I hadn't already sent off the logbook and paid a deposit on another car I might have been tempted to say bring it back, money back everyone happy.
Where do I stand legally on this? We listed the car with very minimal information (daughter listed in a Facebook group ) and the buyer came, checked over the car and paperwork etc and we sold it in good faith. It's a 16 year old car and it is very basic but it did what we needed it to. I don't like to think the buyers are of the opinion that we tried to scam them. I tried to point out all the known defects so there wouldn't be any nasty surprises.
My daughter and my wife are of the opinion that you come and look at the car and if you are unsure you bring a mechanic or pay for an inspection. It's up to the buyer to make sure it's what they want before handing over the cash. I agree mostly but would much prefer everyone be happy. I've sold several cars over the years, this is by far the cheapest and it's the only one that has caused me any grief.
Sorry for such a long post. Tried to get all the relevant information in. Appreciate your help!
The buyer arrived with her disabled father and I opened up the doors, boot and bonnet. I explained it was the base model and as such didn't have central locking or electric windows. The buyers father and I agreed less to go wrong.
I started the engine and it was lovely and quiet as it always has been. We walked around the car and I pointed out a few stone chips that had begun to rust. None were any bigger than say 3mm across. Again we agreed normal for a car of this age.
I showed receipts for work recently done (new clutch) and from previous owners. Showed them the service booklet and any other paperwork. Current MOT shows a couple of advisories for 2 link pin bushes iirc. Father said it wouldn't be a problem.
I suggested we go for a test drive and the buyer who I had now figured out was learning to drive got into the back seat and the father automatically got into the passenger seat. Fair enough I thought, we could swap around up the road.
Go for a drive, car is quiet and no issues. The father says to turn around at next roundabout and come back to my house.
Park up. Go around the car again, they say they are happy and hand over the cash, no quibbles. We do the paperwork and I give them a receipt stating car registration, date and time of sale, price paid with a statement saying sold as seen, tested and inspected with no guarantees or warranty expressed or implied ( something taken from receipts when I have bought cars in the past )
At this point they ask if it's OK to leave the car where it is and come back with a friend to collect in the morning. Not a problem.
Shake hands and bid them fairwell.
This afternoon I'm at work and I get a message from buyer saying they are very unhappy with the car. Apparently they have found several faults....oil over the sump, something wrong with the exhaust, dipstick not seating correctly and no power steering. It's the lack of power steering that I think is the main problem.
My daughter learnt to drive in it and I didn't think it was heavy but apparently it's a major problem for them.
If I hadn't already sent off the logbook and paid a deposit on another car I might have been tempted to say bring it back, money back everyone happy.
Where do I stand legally on this? We listed the car with very minimal information (daughter listed in a Facebook group ) and the buyer came, checked over the car and paperwork etc and we sold it in good faith. It's a 16 year old car and it is very basic but it did what we needed it to. I don't like to think the buyers are of the opinion that we tried to scam them. I tried to point out all the known defects so there wouldn't be any nasty surprises.
My daughter and my wife are of the opinion that you come and look at the car and if you are unsure you bring a mechanic or pay for an inspection. It's up to the buyer to make sure it's what they want before handing over the cash. I agree mostly but would much prefer everyone be happy. I've sold several cars over the years, this is by far the cheapest and it's the only one that has caused me any grief.
Sorry for such a long post. Tried to get all the relevant information in. Appreciate your help!
Wow, thanks for the quick replies...... my dad had a Bullworker many years ago!
We didn't state that the car didn't have power steering and I didn't realise it would be such a problem. As for the other things they picked up on, I agree it's a bit late to be moaning now.
I'll politely tell them to relist it in the same group. Then they can have the completely wasted weekend waiting for the people who are so desperate for the car yet never turn up or bother to let you know.
Thanks all!
We didn't state that the car didn't have power steering and I didn't realise it would be such a problem. As for the other things they picked up on, I agree it's a bit late to be moaning now.
I'll politely tell them to relist it in the same group. Then they can have the completely wasted weekend waiting for the people who are so desperate for the car yet never turn up or bother to let you know.
Thanks all!
If you want the car for £400 be my guest, I'm sure the buyer would be happy as a pig in s**t to get their money back.
Yes I've been a member of Piston Heads for quite some time but as noted I haven't really posted much of anything. I have listed a couple of Corvettes for sale as well as a couple of Karmann Ghias.
It's all good. Anyone that may have ever seen one of my own personal for sale ads would know I do my best to describe a car to the best of my ability with links to tens of pictures and videos.
The listing for this car was made by my daughter and was completely truthful but lacking in detail.
£300 is £300 and it's now residing happily in my daughters bank account.
Yes I've been a member of Piston Heads for quite some time but as noted I haven't really posted much of anything. I have listed a couple of Corvettes for sale as well as a couple of Karmann Ghias.
It's all good. Anyone that may have ever seen one of my own personal for sale ads would know I do my best to describe a car to the best of my ability with links to tens of pictures and videos.
The listing for this car was made by my daughter and was completely truthful but lacking in detail.
£300 is £300 and it's now residing happily in my daughters bank account.
Something went wrong with my last post.
Kudos to you Gavia. I'm still not sure why I got called out or caught your attention but I'm happy to provide any information you want or need.
I'd be happy give them their money back and for you to come and collect. I'd even let you have it for the £325 it was originally listed for Or you can step up with the £400 and I'll give £300 to my daughter and donate the £100 to cancer research.
The ad was placed in a closed group on Facebook so I'll post a screen shot. I also have the messenger conversation between myself and the buyer which I can send you.
Car registration is Y767DFX as per the advert.
Let me know if you want any other info.
Kudos to you Gavia. I'm still not sure why I got called out or caught your attention but I'm happy to provide any information you want or need.
I'd be happy give them their money back and for you to come and collect. I'd even let you have it for the £325 it was originally listed for Or you can step up with the £400 and I'll give £300 to my daughter and donate the £100 to cancer research.
The ad was placed in a closed group on Facebook so I'll post a screen shot. I also have the messenger conversation between myself and the buyer which I can send you.
Car registration is Y767DFX as per the advert.
Let me know if you want any other info.
Lol. It has gone a little quiet hasn't it.
At the end of the day my daughter is happy to have the £300.
I'm the one getting the grief from the buyer and I'm actually quite a nice guy. Not 'boo hoo your not happy, here let me roll over and give you your money back' nice but generally good and honest. We all work hard for our money and £300 to my daughter pays for a few tanks of fuel to get to and from work.
Gavia, how about you send the buyer the money in any way convenient then drop a ton in a charity box. (Of course we will need proof of this! ??)
At the end of the day my daughter is happy to have the £300.
I'm the one getting the grief from the buyer and I'm actually quite a nice guy. Not 'boo hoo your not happy, here let me roll over and give you your money back' nice but generally good and honest. We all work hard for our money and £300 to my daughter pays for a few tanks of fuel to get to and from work.
Gavia, how about you send the buyer the money in any way convenient then drop a ton in a charity box. (Of course we will need proof of this! ??)
Gavia, OK I see the problem. I signed up for subscribe to this thread but have not got any email notifications and when I click on the email you button it says I can't as my aol.com has been bouncing emails.
Let me get on a desktop and I'll see what's going on or change to a different email address.
Let me get on a desktop and I'll see what's going on or change to a different email address.
Gavia, I have to contact admin on here to change my verified email address so I'll do that but in the mean time, email me directly at the following old email address that I dont use too much so if it get spammed after being on a piblic forum so be it.
jotto (no space the the number 1) (at) aol dot com.
Let me know what info you want and I'll send it via email. Happy days.
jotto (no space the the number 1) (at) aol dot com.
Let me know what info you want and I'll send it via email. Happy days.
Thanks for the email Gavia. Ive replied...
Guys, lets keep it civil....Ive said on numerous occasions Im not sure how or why this started. Gavia thought I was trolling and called me out. So far, he has done pretty much what he said he would and Ive sent the info he wanted.
I know its all seems a little overboard for a £300 car but Im not a wealthy (financially anway) bloke and all of my kids work hard for what they earn. Its a lesson in life and there is a principle involved.
Guys, lets keep it civil....Ive said on numerous occasions Im not sure how or why this started. Gavia thought I was trolling and called me out. So far, he has done pretty much what he said he would and Ive sent the info he wanted.
I know its all seems a little overboard for a £300 car but Im not a wealthy (financially anway) bloke and all of my kids work hard for what they earn. Its a lesson in life and there is a principle involved.
OK guys and gals a bit of an update. As Gavia has said we have exchanged emails and I will be the first to say that Gavia is a man of his word.
I'll say that Cancer research will indeed be getting their £100 and possibly a little more and I'll update the thread about the final happenings with the car and the original buyers.
Gavia, I tip my hat to you!
I'll say that Cancer research will indeed be getting their £100 and possibly a little more and I'll update the thread about the final happenings with the car and the original buyers.
Gavia, I tip my hat to you!
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