28 replies to this topic

[ourkid]

Hi guys,

Unfortunately this post is a bit grim because it concerns some trouble i'm having with a mini "specialist",the guy i bought my car from.I don't want to name and shame but i made the long journey to Sunderland from Ellesmere port to pick up my first ever mini (i'd never even driven one before!)
It was advertised on E-bay as a truly stunning example of an original low mileage car (13,400) so seemed ideal,as it is my daily driver and needs to be useable and relaible.I'm used to 70's vehicles,having owned/restored loads of v-dubs over the past 20 yrs and i know bodywork especially can be a major issue.The website for this specialist states that he has 30 yrs experience and gave the impression of being a leading,respected and knowledgeable guy running a business that only does things the correct way.

I asked the guy about the condition of the subframes over the phone.He said they were "like new".So i agreed to take the car and travelled up 2 weeks later.

To be fair,the condition in general is great(bar a few bubbles on the lower doors).It has all paperwork to back up the genuine low miles
IT CAME WITH A FRESH MOT.He was fixing the speedo and fuel gauge as i arrived and said that he "wanted it to be right" before i took it

After a few issues with fuel leaks,and being very low on oil (not registering on the dipstick at all)it got me home ok.The speedo and fuel gauge were not fixed at all and still don't work.

The next day i got underneath to have another look and took the back wheels off..........

The rear subframe is Sha''ged,rotted on the upright all down one side.

So i e-mailed him and explained politely that this was NOT a car that should have just passed an mot,especially at a garage that knows exactly what to look for.He agreed and asked me to send photos which i did straight away.I asked for compensation to buy a new subframe.He suggested sending one to me from a cooper that he was stripping because it would be better for me to have a fully built up one,so i went along with it (i'm still learning)

Anyway, that was 2 months ago.I've sent him loads of e-mails and he just makes excuses.I've told him the car is stripped down ready and i'm biking to work.Every weekend he says it will arrive and it doesn't.I'm beginning to lose hope.I'm sure there are good mini specialists out there but i found a bad one.He knows that i won't visit him because he is 4 hrs away.

I'm not sure what to do next.The car should never have had an mot.I think by stalling he knows that i will find it almost impossible to prove the facts.

Oh..He also warns about 8" oversills on his website claiming "always fit genuine parts".....Guess what he fitted on mine?.(I only realised this recently and i think he took advantage of my naivety after i admitted i knew nothing about mini's)He told me they were "late type larger sills and were better"I can't afford a new subframe but will accept a used one and fit it myself.I think this is very reasonable



Sorry about the rant guys,i should have joined a community like this before i parted with my cash.On the plus side,the car is running well,(after doing the head gasket-but that's another story)is very tidy and looks well and i'm loving every minute of it

Ade.

[giz]

well... depending on how recent the mot is and if he did it himself i'd seriously consider getting in touch with vosa, i don't care how long he's been in the business people shouldn't be aloud to sell poteneialy lethal cars which are advertised otherwise.

Edited by nataliegizfish, 28 May 2008 - 09:38 PM.

[Mort]

Theres alot of people trying to flog bad minis as i found out when trying to find mine. The MOT proberly did pass, then the guy changed aload of things. The guy who passed the MOT probally did not know about the rear subframe as you are not allowed to remove the wheels. Found this out from VOSA today, i think it's mad.

[ourkid]

Theres alot of people trying to flog bad minis as i found out when trying to find mine. The MOT proberly did pass, then the guy changed aload of things. The guy who passed the MOT probally did not know about the rear subframe as you are not allowed to remove the wheels. Found this out from VOSA today, i think it's mad.

You can actually see the rot without removing the wheel,He didn't actually do the mot himself but i'll bet is on "close terms" with the guy who did.I've now got this hanging over me after getting rid of a perfectly good car - you wouldn't believe the grief i'm getting off the missus - an unfortunate start to mini ownership

[Ethel]

http://www.theminifo...p;hl=sunderland

[photographymatt]

I would suggest going to your local citizens advice...or maybe your lawyer. See what they suggest.

[ourkid]

http://www.theminifo...p;hl=sunderland

DOH! - I forgot about that thread - maybe i should have been more careful!

Edited by ourkid, 28 May 2008 - 09:55 PM.

[oli8925]

this sounds very much like my mini when i bought her off a guy on ebay. also had a month old MOT and was in very good condition. lies, filler and lies! took it to a mate who owns a garage and he said it shouldnt have passed and to get in touch with vosa and trading standards agency. i politely consulted the guy and gave him neutral feedback and he proceeded to threaten me and post defamatory comments on ebay (that they never removed).

i never did follow it up with vosa. i just ignored his emails and carried out the relevent work to get it straight. but if possible id say take it to a garage to get it MOT tested and then if it failed, with the evidence go to vosa.

[Minigirl]

is the mini you bought a light blue clubman by any chance?

if it is, it's the one i almost bought a few months ago

[MiniDick]

You shouldn't have started any work on it at all mate. Get straight in touch with VOSA, especially if it's a fresh MOT. If he's an actual business, I'd get in touch wth trading standards too. He's falsely described the vehicle and you should have your money back. New laws came out to stop the old "sold as seen" trick and they apply mainly to businesses. I bought a 306 D-turbo from a small car dealer in Brum, when I got it home and started to service it there was a chopped off spark plug in the sump instead of a sump plug. He knew he had NO choice but to either put it right or have the car back.

[ourkid]

is the mini you bought a light blue clubman by any chance?

if it is, it's the one i almost bought a few months ago

Hi Minigirl,

I've sent you a pm.

[bananaman]

Sounds like they are still up to their old tricks then.

[tuktuk]

once again he ******* on a customer >

[Jammy]

You shouldn't have started any work on it at all mate. Get straight in touch with VOSA, especially if it's a fresh MOT. If he's an actual business, I'd get in touch wth trading standards too. He's falsely described the vehicle and you should have your money back. New laws came out to stop the old "sold as seen" trick and they apply mainly to businesses.

Please do this. It's the ONLY way to deal with this kind of business. If he doesn't get reported then he won't stop conning people.

[dave21478]

If you have already stripped it, its usually too late to involve VOSA regarding the MOT.

There are 2 ways to proceed in my opinion.

He is four hours drive away, its not that far - for the sake of a day out It would probably be worthwhile to go and see him. Phone him beforehand and tell him you will be there on x day to collect the subframe. No excuses, and if he isnt helpfull, proceed to the second half of the next suggestion...

or

write to him and send via Special Delivery a letter stating that if you dont have the replacement within a reasonable time -a week maybe? - you will be seeking legal advice. If no joy, see about a claim through the small claims court. Its a relatively simple procedure, and normally just the initial serving of papers is enough to shove him into acting.

Either way, you need to act NOW. The longer you leave this, the less likely he is to bother doing anything and the harder your case will become.