Recently me and my girlfriend purchased a Car from the Gateshead Motor Company (aka; Team Valley Cars LTD) the car was a nice model, BMW 520i from 1999, and at the price of £999, who could say no? I was assured by the salesman that the car was in perfect condition, no known faults and hadn’t been used for nefarious purposes (it is the kind of car a bank robber would use after all). Seemed ideal for the purposes we wanted it for, that is, y’know the usual stuff… Driving around, going places, and transporting things, standard vehicular usage. We’re not likely to be using it much, public transport suits her commuting needs and I work from home.
Exchange of money took place after we’d had a very short test drive (the car was almost empty of fuel) when we were both satisfied and then we began to drive home. About 10-20 minutes into the journey, the engine overheated. After a few quick checks we’d determined it was probably a burst radiator. We filled the radiator with some water and drove the rest of the way home, and yes, we added boiling water to the radiator, I’ve since been told this is unnecessary in modern cars. A few further inspections and one good mechanic later our assumptions were confirmed, the radiator is duff and needs replacing.
Now this isn’t the kind of part which breaks within 10 minutes of driving, it is the kind of part that a used car salesman can get away with not mentioning.
Needless to say, we’re not very happy about what has transpired. We’re pursuing this as the sale is in contravention of the Sale of goods act (specifically that the car was not suitable for the purpose specified), we’re perfectly aware of our statutory rights and we’re entitled to a refund, repair or refund of the cost of repair. Letters have been sent, the correct authorities informed, the dealer has failed to respond and in the near future I will be filing a claim in the small claims court to recover the cost of repair and the costs of filing a case against them…
The repair is in progress and soon everything will be in working order but I just wanted to warn all those nice internet people about this company in the hope that it prevents them being stung as we have. Coincidentally the BBC has a story regarding the rise in sales of broken cars on their website today. So at least we know we’re not alone in this.
I only buy used cars these days because it’s the only thing that makes any financial (and to a degree, environmental) sense to me. In doing so I’ve learned one very, very important thing:
Never, ever purchase a used car based on the seller’s recommendation.
Always take a used car for at least a 30 minute test drive. My pattern: Include both freeway and city/town driving. Take it around corners at reasonable speed, accelerate aggressively on highway straight-aways, test the breaks after everything is heated up nicely (say .. 20 minutes). Then stop at a convenience shop for a coffee / snack, and hop back in the car after it’s been sitting warm for 5-10 minutes and give it another go for 10-15 minutes. Blare the sound system to see how it performs, use all the automatic features (windows, locks, etc), try the window wipers…
Bonus points for bringing a friend along who is a car enthusiast. They usually love to show their knowledge by pointing out the best and worst of the vehicle in question.
If still satisfied, take it to a mechanic you have picked out (don’t let the person doing the sale recommend you to a mechanic) and pay them the usually nominal fee for a good, thorough inspection.
If the seller balks at you doing any of the above, turn around and walk away. They are, at the least, preventing you from making a properly informed decision and could well be hiding something from you.
When I purchased my current car I knew it had three minor mechanical flaws and that I’d be looking at ~$500 in repairs for two of them (and that the third was irrelevant and could be completely ignored).
I factored this into the offer I made and as a result have a vehicle I’m happy with and got for a good price.
p.s. the “gas tank is nearly empty” thing is an old and nasty trick. If the gas tank is empty, finance the test drive with your own $ and put enough fuel in yourself for the 30 minutes of driving. A few quid well spent!
Ah, and I forgot to add: I’m so sorry you got such a raw deal like that. It totally sucks, if only because they abused your trust.
Better luck next time! 
Thanks Aaron, good advice that I’ll be sure to follow in future
Shame there isn’t a version of “Cowboy Builders” for second-hand salesmen really…
Pikeys! Very much pikey actions going on.
Letters have been sent, the correct authorities informed, the dealer has failed to respond and in the near future I will be filing a claim in the small claims court to recover the cost of repair and the costs of filing a case against them…
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So, what is the end result ? Did you get any money back ?