Hassled after selling a vehicle privately

[The Tinker]

Hi my daughter has sold her car privately - car obviously old but mechanically sound and checked by her father in law (who is a mechanic).
Appears to be a dodgy dealer who has bought it and he is now hassling them to rebuy or pay for 'repairs'?

I have told her to ignore him - keep the evidence - all by text message - and if he continues, to notify police as he is harrassing them.

Has anyone else had this experience and how did you handle it? (By the way I am fuming at the moment and resisting picking up the phone and giving this chap an earful!).

[Quizzical Bob]

The dealer must, or at least should, have known what he was buying. It depends on how the car was advertised but in this instance I would suggest that 'caveat emptor' would apply. A sternly worded letter should suffice.

[Stephen]

Was the car advertised 'Sold As Seen', and did you get the buyer to sign a bill of sale saying 'Sold As Seen'.

it might also be worth giving Citizens Advice a call just to see where you stand legally.

There is also some useful information here.

http://www.which.co.uk/cars/choosing-a- ... ibilities/

[GillD46]

Some years ago we sold a car privately and the next day the clutch went - with no warning apparently, as we hadn't realised it was ailing. The buyer came back to us and we gave £150 back as we felt bad about it.

Where we stood legally I don't know, but we just felt morally we owed them.

[Silver_Shiney]

Some years ago we sold a car privately and the next day the clutch went - with no warning apparently, as we hadn't realised it was ailing. The buyer came back to us and we gave £150 back as we felt bad about it.

Where we stood legally I don't know, but we just felt morally we owed them.

I think that was the right thing to do, Gill.

However, in Tinks' case, as the purchaser is a dealer, he should know what to look for (if not, he's in the wrong business). As it was checked out by a mechanic first, I don't think he has a leg to stand on.

[The Tinker]

Some years ago we sold a car privately and the next day the clutch went - with no warning apparently, as we hadn't realised it was ailing. The buyer came back to us and we gave £150 back as we felt bad about it.

Where we stood legally I don't know, but we just felt morally we owed them.

My daughter would be the first to put her hand in her pocket if she felt it was genuine. However, they had already highly discounted the car to sell it. The buyer tried it on straightaway with a vague description of a problem which they knew was false. A week later he is trying another problem - all whilst the car is up for sale for double the price they soldl it for. Really tempted to ring up and enquire anonymously about buying it!

[Silver_Shiney]

Some years ago we sold a car privately and the next day the clutch went - with no warning apparently, as we hadn't realised it was ailing. The buyer came back to us and we gave £150 back as we felt bad about it.

Where we stood legally I don't know, but we just felt morally we owed them.

My daughter would be the first to put her hand in her pocket if she felt it was genuine. However, they had already highly discounted the car to sell it. The buyer tried it on straightaway with a vague description of a problem which they knew was false. A week later he is trying another problem - all whilst the car is up for sale for double the price they soldl it for. Really tempted to ring up and enquire anonymously about buying it!

I'd be inclined to phone Trading Standards, tell them what he's up to and have them check if the fault is publicised to prospective buyers.

[Dark Knight]

ring the police and report him for intimidation and blackmail

[david63]

Probably easier said than done but I would be inclined to just ignore him. The only action that he could take would be to take your daughter to court which I suspect would be highly unlikely and he knows it.

[The Tinker]

Probably easier said than done but I would be inclined to just ignore him. The only action that he could take would be to take your daughter to court which I suspect would be highly unlikely and he knows it.

Yes - I have told her to ignore him but I guess it's hard when you are being constantly texted!

[Silver_Shiney]

Probably easier said than done but I would be inclined to just ignore him. The only action that he could take would be to take your daughter to court which I suspect would be highly unlikely and he knows it.

Yes - I have told her to ignore him but I guess it's hard when you are being constantly texted!

There's an app called Hinky that you can download (assuming she's got an Android phone) that will block calls. I had to install it because I kept getting phone calls from Bid TV in the middle of the night. It's free and it works.

[Onelife]

Whenever you purchase a second hand vehicle from a private seller you are always told to take someone with you who know what to look for in the way of problems. The dealer didn’t, presumably because he knew what he was looking for so was happy to drive it away ... As long as it had a valid MOT ...his loss I’m afraid.

Tinker, why don’t you hire a couple of heavies to put the frightener on him....I know Stephen and Vapourpuffer are in that line of business

[Onelife]

Tinker

If your daughter is getting intimidating phone calls she needs to make the police aware...Irrespective

Regards

Keith

[Stephen]

Whenever you purchase a second hand vehicle from a private seller you are always told to take someone with you who know what to look for in the way of problems. The dealer didn’t, presumably because he knew what he was looking for so was happy to drive it away ... As long as it had a valid MOT ...his loss I’m afraid.

Tinker, why don’t you hire a couple of heavies to put the frightener on him....I know Stephen and Vapourpuffer are in that line of business

Oi lowlife, you lookin for a bunch of fives. Who you callin evy


My fee is probably more than the car is worth.

My medical insurance is quite high you know, due to me being a high risk. Not that I've had to use it yet

[Wobgoescruising]

The last car we sold privately was a few years ago but the buyer was great, a very sensible chap. He'd seen it advertised online, rang us for a few details and then asked us to recommend a couple of local garages. He then caught the train from his home in London, Steve picked him up at Swindon station and drove him to the garage near our home that he'd booked into. He got the garage to give it a quick check over and once he was happy it was a good car they drove to the bank and the money was sorted and off he drove back to London !.

[Silver_Shiney]

Just a random thought, Tinks - did your daughter send the change of owner (V5?) off to DVLA herself, or did she give it to the buyer to send? If the latter, it would be worth contacting DVLA to tell them there might be a problem.

[haveabeer]

Probably easier said than done but I would be inclined to just ignore him. The only action that he could take would be to take your daughter to court which I suspect would be highly unlikely and he knows it.

Yes - I have told her to ignore him but I guess it's hard when you are being constantly texted!

if you cant block from your phone contact your provider they can block numbers if required

[Silver_Shiney]

Any developments on this case, Tinks?

[The Tinker]

All gone quiet at the moment and all ads for selling cars disappeared off auto trader. Previous owner of garage advertising he is nothing to do with current outfit = just waiting to see if the guy was away for xmas and the new year or hopefully has disappeared for good!

[Silver_Shiney]

All gone quiet at the moment and all ads for selling cars disappeared off auto trader. Previous owner of garage advertising he is nothing to do with current outfit = just waiting to see if the guy was away for xmas and the new year or hopefully has disappeared for good!

Smells a funny colour to me, Tinks, reminds me of the Proton dealership that used to be in Bedminster. Dodgy goings-on indeed. I hope it works out for you.