Rejecting a used car - dealer
Discussion
I bought a Range Rover on 05/05/24.
After 5 days, engine system fault appeared and the car went into limp mode.
The EGR pipe was seen to be bent where it joins the inlet manifold, and someone has tried to use silicone sealant on the gap where it was leaking.
I took it to the garage and they changed the pipe, and then told me that the turbo is sticking and they have said it will need replacing.
The seller was initially assisting and told me he would warranty the car so I could get the work done.
He paid for a years warranty.
I attempted to make a claim for the EGR pipe to be told it was not covered.
I now also know that the turbo is not covered.
I have told the seller that I therefore must reject the car under the consumer rights act 2015.
He said this doesn’t apply as it was a part ex to clear.
I pointed out that doesn’t affect consumer rights.
He said “it’s a 17 year old Land Rover and you know the turbos can go, they are routine maintenance”
I pointed out that turbos are not routine maintenance, and it doesn’t change the fact that the car must be in satisfactory condition upon sale.
He has refused to give me his business address (car was delivered), so I have requested the information from Auto Trader, where I saw the advert. They are supplying this.
He also supplied an old V5 with the car. So I couldn’t tax it. He then told me he knew someone at the post office who would do it for him but it must be six months up front and he will pay him £50 to say thank you. Vehicle was taxed, photo of receipt seen.
I had no choice but to go along with this or I couldn’t drive the car.
So, all in all, a pretty bad couple of weeks for me.
Anyone offer any advice?
Thank you mods for moving - my mistake.
After 5 days, engine system fault appeared and the car went into limp mode.
The EGR pipe was seen to be bent where it joins the inlet manifold, and someone has tried to use silicone sealant on the gap where it was leaking.
I took it to the garage and they changed the pipe, and then told me that the turbo is sticking and they have said it will need replacing.
The seller was initially assisting and told me he would warranty the car so I could get the work done.
He paid for a years warranty.
I attempted to make a claim for the EGR pipe to be told it was not covered.
I now also know that the turbo is not covered.
I have told the seller that I therefore must reject the car under the consumer rights act 2015.
He said this doesn’t apply as it was a part ex to clear.
I pointed out that doesn’t affect consumer rights.
He said “it’s a 17 year old Land Rover and you know the turbos can go, they are routine maintenance”
I pointed out that turbos are not routine maintenance, and it doesn’t change the fact that the car must be in satisfactory condition upon sale.
He has refused to give me his business address (car was delivered), so I have requested the information from Auto Trader, where I saw the advert. They are supplying this.
He also supplied an old V5 with the car. So I couldn’t tax it. He then told me he knew someone at the post office who would do it for him but it must be six months up front and he will pay him £50 to say thank you. Vehicle was taxed, photo of receipt seen.
I had no choice but to go along with this or I couldn’t drive the car.
So, all in all, a pretty bad couple of weeks for me.
Anyone offer any advice?
Thank you mods for moving - my mistake.
Edited by SultanOfSwing on Friday 17th May 12:52
Get some free advice from Citizens Advice, and get them to help you send him a letter (recorded delivery) to his address. If you have his email, also send it to his email. Text him to tell him you've sent it, and you expect a response. Be clear and courteous. If he digs his heels in, your only option is to take him to court, where you'll win but he may find way to limit how he pays you. You can decide for yourself whether this is worth your time or not relative to the value of the car. Don't listen to people who tell you that you have no rights to redress.
You have the law on your side and they have no argument; however their current attitude suggests you have a fight on your hands.
Write, email and text as suggested above. Record everything and then, i suspect, repair at your own cost when they don't respond, then chase them in the courts.
I haven't bought used in about 6 years now but I was on alert for anything remotely dodgy at the time and the V5 would have made me think again. Fingers crossed it gets sorted for you and in future this hiccup makes you more aware.
Write, email and text as suggested above. Record everything and then, i suspect, repair at your own cost when they don't respond, then chase them in the courts.
I haven't bought used in about 6 years now but I was on alert for anything remotely dodgy at the time and the V5 would have made me think again. Fingers crossed it gets sorted for you and in future this hiccup makes you more aware.
Yellow Lizud said:
No advice to OP, but advice to anyone reading this - Don't buy ANY car online without seeing it first, on the seller's premises.
Car was delivered to me by the seller, so I did inspect it, and purchased it based on being as described. But there was no way I could have seen the inside of the EGR pipe or that the turbo wasn’t spooling. Agreed though, I’m not buying unless I’m at the premises again.
Dave200 said:
Get some free advice from Citizens Advice, and get them to help you send him a letter (recorded delivery) to his address. If you have his email, also send it to his email. Text him to tell him you've sent it, and you expect a response. Be clear and courteous. If he digs his heels in, your only option is to take him to court, where you'll win but he may find way to limit how he pays you. You can decide for yourself whether this is worth your time or not relative to the value of the car. Don't listen to people who tell you that you have no rights to redress.
Thank you. The only person saying I have no rights is the seller, read into that what you will.
I have been courteous on all communication and have saved all WhatsApp messages.
I have just lost a Discovery 4 due to crank failure, and then within 5 days I’ve lost the Range Rover.
I think I’m going to go and buy a Kia Picanto.
SultanOfSwing said:
Dave200 said:
Get some free advice from Citizens Advice, and get them to help you send him a letter (recorded delivery) to his address. If you have his email, also send it to his email. Text him to tell him you've sent it, and you expect a response. Be clear and courteous. If he digs his heels in, your only option is to take him to court, where you'll win but he may find way to limit how he pays you. You can decide for yourself whether this is worth your time or not relative to the value of the car. Don't listen to people who tell you that you have no rights to redress.
Thank you. The only person saying I have no rights is the seller, read into that what you will.
I have been courteous on all communication and have saved all WhatsApp messages.
I have just lost a Discovery 4 due to crank failure, and then within 5 days I’ve lost the Range Rover.
I think I’m going to go and buy a Kia Picanto.
Does the warranty not have a business address for the supplying dealer?
I don't understand the tax part. Did you tax the car?
Tbh, you shouldn't buy an L322 from a dealer expecting support unless it is top money from a dealer who just sellls these and other similar LRs. You're better buying from an enthusiast. It is not feasible for a trader to stand behind a (guessing) 8k car that could at anytime throw a 4k bill.
I don't understand the tax part. Did you tax the car?
Tbh, you shouldn't buy an L322 from a dealer expecting support unless it is top money from a dealer who just sellls these and other similar LRs. You're better buying from an enthusiast. It is not feasible for a trader to stand behind a (guessing) 8k car that could at anytime throw a 4k bill.
LayZ said:
Does the warranty not have a business address for the supplying dealer?
I don't understand the tax part. Did you tax the car?
Tbh, you shouldn't buy an L322 from a dealer expecting support unless it is top money from a dealer who just sellls these and other similar LRs. You're better buying from an enthusiast. It is not feasible for a trader to stand behind a (guessing) 8k car that could at anytime throw a 4k bill.
These are problems for the dealer, not the buyer. Which is why this dealer is trying to get out of his legal responsibilities by claiming it's a "part ex".I don't understand the tax part. Did you tax the car?
Tbh, you shouldn't buy an L322 from a dealer expecting support unless it is top money from a dealer who just sellls these and other similar LRs. You're better buying from an enthusiast. It is not feasible for a trader to stand behind a (guessing) 8k car that could at anytime throw a 4k bill.
Of all the lunatic things I've heard this year so far buying a wobbly old Range Rover for delivery in the post, sight unseen, really stands out 
I daresay it'll be full of all sorts of bodges if it's been in the hands of people who try and stick EGR pipes on with silicone sealant.
Law is obviously on your side but don't be surprised if he just puts the limited company through before you get any satisfaction on this. He would have known full well how bodged up the car was so his intent was always to jib off whoever bought it.
You could have taxed it with the new keeper green slip from the V5 though, if that was present, while you waited for the new one.
I'm also sure the sort of warranty you can get on a 10+ year old Range Rover is going to be absolutely iron clad
I daresay it'll be full of all sorts of bodges if it's been in the hands of people who try and stick EGR pipes on with silicone sealant.
Law is obviously on your side but don't be surprised if he just puts the limited company through before you get any satisfaction on this. He would have known full well how bodged up the car was so his intent was always to jib off whoever bought it.
You could have taxed it with the new keeper green slip from the V5 though, if that was present, while you waited for the new one.
I'm also sure the sort of warranty you can get on a 10+ year old Range Rover is going to be absolutely iron clad
Edited by GeniusOfLove on Friday 17th May 14:18
SultanOfSwing said:
He has refused to give me his business address (car was delivered), so I have requested the information from Auto Trader, where I saw the advert. They are supplying this.
It didn't have a dealership name? No pictures of a car 'lot'? Nothing to identify where this guy is operating from?
Were the pictures taken at a car dealer, or someone's house?
How much did you pay for this Range Rover?
You are entitled to reject the car, although based on what you've said I think you may be lucky to actually get any money from the seller.
Fix it, flog it, move on with your life.
If it's sub £10k for a 17 year old car, you've no chance.
I'd be pissed, I'd be upset, however I'm old enough and silly enough to realise this is going to be a long and pointless battle.
A knackered 17 year old ranger rover isn't a hill worth dying on!
And in all seriousness, I'm not entirely confident many people wouldn't expect a 17 year old car to have unexpected problems cropping up.
But get other opinions for sure!
If it's sub £10k for a 17 year old car, you've no chance.
I'd be pissed, I'd be upset, however I'm old enough and silly enough to realise this is going to be a long and pointless battle.
A knackered 17 year old ranger rover isn't a hill worth dying on!
And in all seriousness, I'm not entirely confident many people wouldn't expect a 17 year old car to have unexpected problems cropping up.
But get other opinions for sure!
Dealer is a scumbag. But scumbags like that know the can get away with it so they continue to operate. The buyers who have the time and tenacity to follow it through to court will probably "win" but will receive zero because the company will just close down / have a change of name.
As much as I'd love to see the dealer get what they deserve I'd just fix it and move on with my life.
As much as I'd love to see the dealer get what they deserve I'd just fix it and move on with my life.
Yellow Lizud said:
advice to anyone reading this - Don't buy ANY car online without seeing it first, on the seller's premises.
Absolutely right. See the car at seller's address that matches the V5.IMO buying from any "trader" is often best avoided. You pay for the comfort of warranty, consumer rights etc but they often seem to evaporate into thin air.
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