Bought a lemon - damage to underside of car

[joe_lean]

Hi, I've been a member on SCN for a while now, but never really done much posting. I think i need to now though.

I used to have an Ibiza TDI FR, but part-exed it for a 54 plate Leon TDI FR with 59k on the clock.
Anyway, took it to Jabbasport (as i always did with the ibiza) for a service and they put it up and the underneath was an absolute mess. They said it was the worst they'd ever seen and it looks as if everything on the underside of the car was hit/twisted/bent!

The only reason i bought the leon is that we've got our first baby on the way and we wanted a 5 door. anyhow, the bloke we got the car off, never mentioned anything about this damage and even claimed over the phone before we saw the car that there "was not a scratch on it". I've got the AA coming over tomorrow to do a vehicle inspection in the hope that I can reject the car as it is not "fit for purpose" under the Sales of Goods act 1979 (as amended blah blah blah).

I'll put some images up when i figure out how to do it.

Has anyone had to do this with a second hand car, or has anyone any advice as I don't want to tell wifey as she's stressed (and pregnant) enough already.

Album of damage: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/odunthorne/LeonDamage?authkey=hpaYWKfHvWA

 

[ChrisUK]

Thats normally something thats done before you buy it mate.

Was it a private or trade sale ?

 

[joe_lean]

I know, but after speaking to trading standards, i need to prove the damage isn't wear and tear.

It was a trade sale, found it on autotrader. I phoned autotrader and got them to forward me the advert text for the car and it said "very clean ca, well looked after".

 

[Brummy]

Buyer Beware springs to mind on this.. really now down to you in a sense to prove it was done befroe you bought it, not for the other guy to prove otherwise....
good luck, though

 

[dainott2105]

how long ago did u buy it cos you have a few weeks to take it back!!

 

[joe_lean]

It was just over 2 weeks ago, 16th Feb.

 

[DPJ]

Yes, that's been on an excursion. The gearbox casing 'repair' is horendous!

 

[joe_lean]

they've made as many cosmetic changes to make it look ok. The last service was at 50k and the last MOT was at 53k so somewhere between 53k and 59k it said goodbye to Mr Road and hello to Mr Ditch/Speedbump/Big thing.

 

[Brummy]

definately seems to have been the wrong side of a hedge there..

 

[jamiebennett81]

did you not get it AA checked before hand or similar?

when always spending a wad on an expensive car, I do this without doubt

did the place you bought it from also give you any warranty or 101 type vehicle check thing?

if not, could be difficult, as in the term "bought as seen"

 

[joe_lean]

good old 20-20 hindsight.
Nope, didn't do one before i bought it as they seemed expensive (don't now though)!

 

[ChrisUK]

Fook me - looks like an undeclared Cat D

I'd storm round there demanding answers !!

 

[C11PRA DC]

That damage is bad !

Good luck sorting it out!

Maybe If it looked a little cleaner it would imply that in your short ownership its only been cosseted and hasn't been driven hard!

 

[joe_lean]

I'm waiting for the AA guy so i've got more ammunition. Logged a call with trading standards, autotrader an have written down every conversation i've had with them. Probably won't prove much, but at least I won't forget what's happened.

Anyway, after the AA guy's come, gonna give the guy a call, record it, and see what he says. if it goes down the "fook off" route I'll send them a letter stating "Sales of Goods act", "not fit for purpose" etc. then if i still don't get a response, it's back to trading standards who'll escalate it and apparently trading standards have more access to autotraders records (that's what the lady at autotrader said anyway). Then i'll get my money back, get a new car, and watch as pigs fly through the sky (hope not)

 

[joe_lean]

how dare you. are implying my car is dirty?! It came in that black/matt brown colour i swear!

 

[Brummy]

if pigs fly, will the price of bacon go up? ....

*sorry, had to *

 

[andycupra]

they've made as many cosmetic changes to make it look ok. The last service was at 50k and the last MOT was at 53k so somewhere between 53k and 59k it said goodbye to Mr Road and hello to Mr Ditch/Speedbump/Big thing.

i wouldnt say that for sure.
There is probably nothing ive seen that would fail an MOT at most places and the servicing varies so much place to place. Some may comment on the damage some may not.
Mind you, ive just seen that gearboz cover repair... oh my god... its not even that much to get a second hand cover...

one thing, the car is absolutely filthy... who says you havnt been off the road? (just looking at it objectively)

 

[googies]

Did you not notice the damage to bonnet and doors etc before parting money? I bought a MKII toledo but damage was vey hard to find, good repair job but was undeclared damaged and turned out to be cat D loss. Got my money back as paid half cash half cheque, stopped cheque at once and man coughed up rest or I was getting a car for half price (price it should have been).

 

[BEOWULF]

Makes no difference if sold and seen as the goods for sale act 1974 section 56 it has to be as described i had the same sort of problem i with a golf i brought.
hope you get it sorted m8 that is very bad

 

[andycupra]

Makes no difference if sold and seen as the goods for sale act 1974 section 56 it has to be as described i had the same sort of problem i with a golf i brought.
hope you get it sorted m8 that is very bad

agreed.
The buyer beware thing is not as strong as it was. For example if you ask an open question like: "is there anything i should know about the car" they should declare anything significant.
Also adverts do need to be accurateotherwise it is not sold as described.