Bought faulty car. The seller did not provide some important. deatails

[binder_70]

My mate thought this was a real bargain so he bought VW Sharan this Thursday from a private seller. The mileage was only 70,000 and the card had only two owners. He checked only one paper MOT certificate (the most recent one) right before the purchase.One day later he took a better look at the documents and the was variance in milage (there was higher milage showing on the past MOTs). He checked DLVA website and car history only now and it turned out that the car was involved in an accident and it used to be a taxi.He contacted the seller who doesn't want to return the money and claims that he hasn't changed the milege etc.I wonder if there is any legal action he could take to get the money back?Reasons for return:- the seller changed milage by about 40,000 miles - the seller did not say that this car has been in accident - the seller did not say that the car used to be a taxiAny advise would be much apprecieated.

[rebel11]

Hi binder

 

Welcome to CAG

The guys will advise as soon as they are available.

 

Yes he can get his money back, he will have to follow small courts procedures. Write a LBA letter to show that he's tried everything to get your money back before going to court. Keep all the documentation you have as evidence and gather further evidence. You might want to get a report from an expert on clocking which is illegal. Here are some links:-

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/eastmidlands/series11/week8_carclocking.shtml

 

http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/images/ca06_tcm9-8165.pdf

 

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/county/index.htm

[queensclose]

Trading standards would be interested if he advertised the car at 70000 miles. Did the seler own the car for the mot before the recent one

[binder_70]

no, he had the car only for last year, he's the second owner.

[raydetinu]

Good luck with this one. Caveat emptor etc.

The seller does not have to disclose anything unless asked specifically about something ( accident, taxi )

Car has to be roadworthy of course.

Mileage may be more promising as it is an offence to change it, howvever can you prove the seller did it or was likely to have done it.

Need to check dates when he owned it/ MOTs etc.

Is it a possibility he is a trader? from private address.

You need to go see him again with info. or write and say you will take court action to get money back; May make him change his mind!

[j66]

I don't think that any seller has to volunteer information about a vehicle without being asked a specific question. The only exception to this for a trader, is that they have to volunteer as to whether the vehicle has been an insurance write off.

 

It is not an offence to alter mileage readings, the offence lies in stating or implying that the mileage is genuine when selling. The mileage could have changed because a faulty dash panel has been replaced with a used one. The mileage on the previous MOT could be an error, the trip mileage or even the last 6 digits of the vehicle identification number may have been entered and the owner did not check the details as advised on the MOT paperwork.

 

The title says that the car is faulty, what are the faults?