59 replies to this topic

[tekon1984]

Neildanks, Im no mot technician, but I'd never pass a car with a crushed brakeline, welding with gaps (is it not supposed to be one running bead) looking like bird poo and i forgot to legion, the reverse light didnt work.

I know the speedo changes when different size wheels are put on, but that is something else that should have been picked up on.

[puggered]

Hi tekon1984, have you tried contacting him to let him know of your dis satisfaction? I'm gutted that you got ripped off with this car so hopefully something positive will come out of it. If you get no joy from the seller you can also report him to trade and standards.

[tommy13]

Hi, I'm sorry you have been caught out with this vehicle, and I have read many similar stories on this forum over the past few years.
As an MOT tester I have to argee with what neildanks has said, the welding although looking terrible, is probably adequate, but if it has had carpet glued over it, then it could not be inspected on test. The reverse light and speedo function are not part of the test.
The MOT is a check of safety critical items (mostly) which can be checked without any dismantling of the vehicle, valid at the very moment in time that the test is carried out. It is not an indication of the condition of the car.
When viewing a car, Never go in the dark, never go in the rain as water droplets hide most body repairs, and if it's parked over a puddle-- move it.
VOSA will take whatever disciplinary action they feel is correct against the guy who issued the MOT. There is no action taken against the guy who sold it you, although if he is a trader they may have a word with him, and he will claim to have no mechanical knowledge and blame the tester as they always do.
You will not be entitled to any form of compensation from the MOT man even if VOSA find he has been negilgent, as he is not the cause of the faults . The only person who can help financially is the guy you bought it from, but I'm not sure of the legal position in these cases.
Learn an important lesson from this, Take someone with mechanical knowledge with you when you look at a car, inspect it thoroughly to your own satisfaction and if the vendor appears unhappy with you inspecting anything ... Walk away.

Edited by tommy13, 12 November 2011 - 06:36 PM.

[Neildanks]

I am not defending anyone just stating as tommy13 just said the mot testers can be fooled as they are not allowed to lift carpet or do destructive testing the blame falls mainly on the seller i would love to hear what he had to say. have you spoken to him

[huntface]

If he's a trader, start a small claim at money claims online*. If there's a fault, he's deemed to know about it at time of the sale.You statutory rights also apply.

Even if you don't get anywhere with it, it'll waste a lot of his time and if ignores it, you can enter judgment. All for £35.00. Great fun.


*Do a letter before action first though

[tekon1984]

I appreciate the advice given by all, but I know where I stand and know that I will never see the money again.

The the aim of my first post was to name and shame the two parties mentioned.

I'll never buy private again .

[Frank the Tank]

Don't be put off buying private just learn from this mistake. You'll get some of the best deals buying private if you are careful and/or know what you are looking for.

[Shifty]

What has the seller said about this?

[M J W J]

I appreciate the advice given by all, but I know where I stand and know that I will never see the money again.

The the aim of my first post was to name and shame the two parties mentioned.

I'll never buy private again .

Have you asked for your money back and tried to return the vehicle? If not then I wouldn't go naming and shaming people straight away. I admit that in this case it does look like someone has tried to cover up bad workmanship to rip people off but you should always give people a chance to sort out a problem first.

How long has it been since the vehicle was sold to you and you finding all the faults?

The sales of goods act applies to ALL goods, new or second hand. Cars become a bit of a minefield but in essence the vehicle like all other goods has to be;
a. fit for purpose which it is clearly not as it does not appear to be in road worthy condition
b. must be of satisfactory quality which it isn't as there are faults that were hidden.

If faults are not stated when the vehicle was sold to you then you are in your right to ask for a full refund and return the vehicle. If you haven't clocked up a lot of mileage (this is where it becomes difficult due to ambiguity) you should be able to return the vehicle.

First step would be to go back to the seller, ask for your money back and return the car to them if they give you a full refund.

I think as others have said there is a lesson to be learnt. You need to check vehicles over more carefully. There are threads on the mini forum about what to look for when buying one. If you don't know what to look for take someone who does. If someone refuses to let you fully check a vehicle over then walk away. Also MOT's are not worth the paper they are written on. As soon as the vehicle rolls off the garages property they count for nothing. It is always a drivers responsibility to check a vehicle is in road worthy condition before driving.

[Frisco]

I'll never buy private again .

Most of the horror story repairs and cover up bodges I've seen have come from dealers. Dealers know how to cover up problems and people get taken in by a warrenty that's completely worthless.
Everything I buy is either from private sellers or as a trade sale from a trader.

The moral of the story is if you dont know what you are looking at either bring someone who does or pay the AA/RAC to do it. The person selling you the car is not your friend and they are not going to tell you whats wrong with the car.


I don't mean to come across harsh mate its just the way things are when you buy a second hand car from anyone

Edited by Frisco, 12 November 2011 - 10:45 PM.

[tekon1984]

When I said that I will never buy private again, what I meant to say was I will never buy a mini again... from anyone.

I have loved minis for as long as I remember, but now my veiw on minis is they are money guzzling death traps that belong in scrapyards or banger racing.

Point me to the bus stop please!

Sorry

[Shifty]

Why do I smell a troll?

If you're so annoyed about being 'ripped off' why have you not said that you've contacted the seller yet?

[tekon1984]

That was the first thing I did mate and I'm not a troll. I've done what I can to get hold of the guy. I'm more likely to see Elvis than him again. F*cking Pikeys!!!

[Frisco]

You will be getting the bus forever then because dodgy sellers are out there doing the same thing to every type of car.

[Artful Dodger]

When I said that I will never buy private again, what I meant to say was I will never buy a mini again... from anyone.

I have loved minis for as long as I remember, but now my veiw on minis is they are money guzzling death traps that belong in scrapyards or banger racing.

Point me to the bus stop please!

Sorry

what sort of low life scum sell people cars like this when they know full well that they are deathtraps! not good.

but, its a bit harsh saying they belong in a scrappy? i mean i totally agree they are money guzzling ( 100 %) death traps? again, no theyre not, well apart from a head on. and banger racing mini's is just plain cruel.