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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Car breaks down one day after purchase

24 replies

Poppydoppy18 · 12/07/2021 18:13

We bought a car (private sale) yesterday, it’s supposed to have no problems and be road worthy.
We just drove it for half an hour and got a notification “low battery, STOP” and the power steering stopped working. We just pulled over and the steering belt snapped and oil is leaking.
AIBU to want to call up the guy and have a massive f*cking go at him? Is there legally anything that we can do about this?

OP posts:

MissConductUS · 12/07/2021 18:16

Did you have the car inspected by a mechanic prior to purchase?

Unless your bill of sale says otherwise, you probably bought it "as is".

ArnoldJudasRimmer · 12/07/2021 18:17

YANBU to be annoyed, but I don't think you can do anything unless you can prove it wasn't roadworthy at the time of sale (which could be quite difficult). You would have more rights with a dealer, I think it's harder with a private sale unless he agrees to pay for repairs of his own volition.
May be worth contacting Citizens Advice for help.

BashfulClam · 12/07/2021 18:17

Unfortunately you have accepted the car in the condition it was. I think it’s a case of caveat emptor.

IsItTooEarlyForAGin · 12/07/2021 18:17

Agree with pp
Did you see any paperwork for the car, service history etc?
I'd contact the seller but you may not get anywhere.

CovidCorvid · 12/07/2021 18:18

I don’t think legally you can do anything when it’s a private sale.

2ndtimemum2 · 12/07/2021 18:19

So sorry about that op!! Some people are just shit human beings but unfortunately as fa's as I know I don't think you have any comeback unless the person gave you a warranty with it. Did you have mechanic look at it before you bought? I'm guessing if the car had been plugged in that it would've shown a fault as I'm guessing thats not the first time the car has given that warning message.

Unanananana · 12/07/2021 18:20

Did you check for service history? Did you have anyone look it over mechanically before you bought it? Did you test drive it? Is it an old car?

If you took no precautions and did no checks, then you have been a bit silly.

TwoLeftElbows · 12/07/2021 18:23

Unfortunately this is the risk you take with a private sale, and why it's substantially cheaper than buying with a warranty.

No harm in asking though.

warmfluffytowels · 12/07/2021 18:25

Most private sales are sold "as seen". The buyer has no obligation to refund you.

Did you see the sales/service/MOT history? Did you get it checked by a professional garage before purchase?

Meadowlands1 · 12/07/2021 18:26

unless they are a business pretending to be a private seller - you don't really have any rights.

warmfluffytowels · 12/07/2021 18:26

*seller has no obligation, rather.

If you can't prove the car was broken/having issues before you bought it, there's not much you can do. Any car can develop a fault - it's why garages sell second-hand cars with a warranty period just in case.

littletinyboxes · 12/07/2021 18:27

Is it a 'true' private sale OP? Sometimes dealers sell older cars (eg. part ex trade ins etc) and tell the buyer that they are on a private sale basis, but that does not stop them legally having sold as a car dealer. I successfully got my money back when this happened to me and the car broke down completely the following day. There's a useful guide from trading standards at www.businesscompanion.info/focus/car-traders/part-b-your-obligations-under-consumer-rights-act-2015-cra#AfterthesaleYourcustomersrights

Burnt0utMum · 12/07/2021 18:27

Very annoying for you but it's the risk you take buying from a private seller unfortunately

Theunamedcat · 12/07/2021 18:27

I'm not sure that the seller can know the minute the steering belt will snap

If its a private sale you have zero comeback sadly

Pugdoglife · 12/07/2021 18:27

You say "private sale" but what does that mean exactly?
If it's just someone selling their own car, then you are probably unlucky 'buyer beware'. However if it's someone who regularly buys and sells cars or someone like a mechanic, you may be able to take them to small claims because they could be assumed to have foreseen the problems. (So says judge rinder at least)

Hollowgast · 12/07/2021 18:30

Did you test drive it?

Original poster

Poppydoppy18 · 12/07/2021 18:30

Thanks for your comments. The car had a full service history, the best and most organised I’ve ever seen tbh. Didn’t get it checked out by an official mechanic, my partner took my FIL to see the car.
We should’ve not gone with a private sale but yeah, it is what it is.

So to rephrase my question, AIBU if I call him anyway? My partner is saying that there’s no point but I just want to let him know he sold us a wrecked car. I know it’s petty… 🥲

When we sold our van a year ago, there was a serious wheel problem one week after. We refunded them about £200 because we felt bad, even though we couldn’t have know about the issue. I’m just hoping this will have given us some good karma and that the guy will refund us some money.

OP posts:

ChatterMonkey · 12/07/2021 18:33

Its worth a shot getting in touch. The worst that could happen is he says its nothing to do with him, and you are no worse off than you are now.

So whether its likely or not, its worth a try.

Signoramarella · 12/07/2021 18:33

Just be honest, polite, let him know what happened. I've sold and bought 2nd hand. If there's problems..
. You can sort it out amicably.

warmfluffytowels · 12/07/2021 18:34

You can call him but you can't expect him to do anything - you saw the car and must have been happy with it, or you wouldn't have bought it.

In the future, please go to a proper garage - they might be a bit pricier but you get all sorts of protections as a result. All my cars have been second hand - my latest I bought last summer. The purchase price included a fresh MOT and service, a set of tyres, a tank of fuel and a three month warranty.

DH got his car from the same dealer and unfortunately it developed an issue after two months or so. He took it to the garage, they repaired the problem and gave him a free courtesy car for a week while it was being fixed. Definitely worth the slightly higher purchase price :)

Hollowgast · 12/07/2021 18:38

You mention the steering belt - if by this you mean the drive belt (also known as the fan belt, the bit that powers things like the alternator, AC compressor etc) then if that breaks the alternator won't be turning so will not be charging the battery. A car uses lots of electricity so very soon you will get the fault you saw. It might be as simple as changing the belt and you're good to go. The part will cost about £15.

Oil leak - depends how much and where from. Check the oil level. If it's pouring out then it's bad, but a slow weep is not too much to worry about, just keep it topped up. Think of it as free rust protection for the underside of the car.

Hollowgast · 12/07/2021 18:39

Point I'm making is that it might not be wrecked!

Imnothereforthedrama · 12/07/2021 18:43

Sold as seen on private sales , how is the seller to know the belt will snap? . Contact the seller if you want but do not have a go at him .
Ask a garage for a quote too .

Theunamedcat · 12/07/2021 19:14

We sold a car that had literally sailed through the mot zero issues ever with this car within two weeks a part broke on the gearbox they asked if we knew it was going to break i was honest and said no we had never had issues with the car including the gearbox they were fine about it and paid the rest of the money owed (they owed about another £70 they were close neighbours)

Sometimes things just happen

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