MikeM1986a

I did attempt initially to go for a full refund but he made it crystal clear he wouldn't do that - his exact words were id rather go to court. I'll see what he says anyway, I've gotta give him the right to look at the car and get it checked first, so will see what happens there. For all I know he does, as he's claimed, thinks the cars fine and I've simply got buyers remorse. Maybe when he sees the car he'll see there are damages and can sort out properly from there. I wouldn't feel comfortable giving back the car without getting the money back - he could say it was stolen or anything at that point and I may not get my refund and the car is long gone.

Missus said the same, but really I'd rather take the hit on the repairs than have it drag through courts which could take x amount of months, given I've just bought the car id rather just get it fixed. I'm trying to be as reasonable with him as I can, if it was my local dealer with a forecourt etc. the next day the car would be there with all paperwork and I'd be doing the same thing. Think the only reason that I didn't is that he is independent, was quite aggressive with me and was also trying to claim it was a private sale. I did ask for a refund though, that he did reject, again I have that in writing.

FYI I've been through a small claims process before for an unpaid invoice for my business, but might seek legal advice on this. Would you know what area of law it would fall under? You seem very in the know on it!

Thanks for the comrade, I hope that is the case. The good thing is at least now he's seeming to accept that he's sold it me as a dealer as opposed to private, because I know if the latter you're basically screwed. I did ask for a refund initially, to which he disagreed, he has said initially he would pay for repairs, but throughout has repeated the car was fine when he sold it and if it's damaged I've done it myself - given I contacted him the very next day with an initial concern, I think that's almost laughable. I've since said I'll go 50/50 on any repair costs as a means to get the problem sorted so hope he'll go for that. Wouldn't like to go down the legal route, but will have to if he leaves me with no alternative.

As soon as I noticed the oil pressure light come up I took the car back home (about 2 miles), parked up and then checked the oil level the next morning after it had been left on a level surface - I didn't drive the car again until I'd put oil in and didn't drive the car at any time when I didn't think there was oil in it. The most negligent thing I did was not check the oil when I bought it, given that he told me on a number of occasions he'd checked all the levels and they were fine (though since claimed afterwards he hadn't checked the oil). I assume also it's his responsibility as a dealer to ensure the car does have sufficient oil in the car when selling.

I've done about 800 miles since having the car, it's about 150 just to get back from where he was and then I'd done a couple of road trips when I got it. I took a picture of the dipstick after the light first appeared and it would seem to indicate that there was little/no oil in the car. He's also confirmed that he didn't check the oil level prior to selling it to me. Not sure how he expects to prove I was responsible for any damage as I really haven't driven the car in a manner that would damage it!

The dealer has now since claimed that as per trading standard rules he is within his rights o get it fixed by his own preferred garage and if I refuse then that's on me - I've said it makes more sense to have it done by an independent but so be it. I've since told him that fine, if that's the case I'll take his word on it. I've arranged a tow truck to take it tomorrow to back to the dealers garage - he has said throughout though that he believes the car is damaged due to how I've driven it, of which I've driven the car perfectly fine so don't know how the hell he expects to do that. I think they'll get the car, see the damage and I'll end up having to tow it all the way back again when he refuses to fix it and still end up going to court - needs must though I assume.

FYI I trust the garage, are very well known for being very reliable, have used for previous cars and always been very reliable and decent to me.

The guy was an independent dealer - he wants me to take it to his mates garage, but I'm reluctant to do so, because when I do, they can do whatever they want to the car without my knowledge. I've explained that if he's not happy with my local garage's advice then I'll get an independent dealer (possibly RAC) to give an unbiased opinion. The dealer is trying to claim it was a private sale, but as mentioned in above comments he'd made it clear throughout he was selling as a dealer, as per his original advert, so I assume that will go in my favour. I've said that to come to a quick resolution I'll split the cost on the engine repair/replacement otherwise I'll file with small claims.

Bit of an update, and not good news. The engine management light came on, taking to the garage and they've advised one of the cylinders in misfiring. Still not sure what the damage may be, but guessing it's not good because they've started talking about stripping the engine....

Okay that's fine, well there's probably little to nothing I can do about it now other than drive it and if/when that does occur I'll need to replace.

Brief one, I've topped up the oil and levels seem to be more normal - 15 idle, 60 odd when driving and circa 75 when giving it a bit of a blast. May just bury my head in the sand on this one if no further issues arise anytime soon, but still gonna get it checked over tomorrow in case. Thanks again for all advice, I'll stick some pics up of it when I get my under body neon lights and go faster stripes put on : P

Okay thanks for that Alex, I'll let you know if/when it comes about. No blue smoke that I could see - I'll check again later after I've put some oil in it. I'll just really have to see what happens from now really and keep a close eye on everything. Cheers for all the help and advice, I'll keep you posted of how it goes.

Fingers crossed comrade, thanks the words of reassurance : )

Didn't know if that was the total cost, or just the cost of a used engine - assuming total then?

As a thinking ahead / worst case scenario - if the engine does go, what would the cost be for a replacement and the labour involved to put in a used one?

Bought it from an independent dealer in Birmingham, rather not give out his name as don't want it to seem slanderous if nothing major in the end. Went to his property, which clearly doubles up as a place of business as have number of vehicles there in state of repair etc. and for sale. It is my stupid fault for not getting quite clearly in writing the warranty and cover and for it to state quite clearly it's buying from a dealer - an issue that he's skirted around up until now. However not checking the oil was crazy but he'd said to me circa 2-3 times he's done the levels so they're all sorted....

Am I potentially getting ahead of myself here by the way? Given the car drives seemingly fine, if I replace the oil and the pressure goes up - possibly even get an oil change - then may it be the case that the car will be fine anyway, with perhaps just a little wear and tear?

Yes I did, it sold said as tested. Also there's no paperwork referring to the guarantee, but regardless if it's seen as a sale from a dealer then, whether there's paperwork or not, they have to offer a standard warranty as per trading standards regs.

Spoke to the dealer, incredibly rude from the off - said he'd rather go to court than buy it back. He's said put oil in the car and see how it goes and let him know if any issues. If needed then I'll have to come back up to him to get a garage he knows to check it, because he wouldn't trust someone from me - I'd probably rather get an independent RAC person to do it instead if it reaches that point. I said that, as a hypothetical, if the mechanic, whoever that may be, comes back and does say it's an underlying issue with the engine would he refund it, to which he said he'd rather get it repaired which he's in his right to do - and rightly so, albeit imagine it would be quite a hefty cost.

Apologies crucial typo there - he's replied he WONT refund because the car was in perfect working order when purchased. He's since said maybe I've driven it too hard to damage it.

My exact words were: "Just to clarify are you selling the car to me as a private sale or as a dealer, it was posted as trade sale on autotrader but wasn't sure.." To which he replied: "Trade. we will send the logbook on your behalf." I've just text him now to say I think I want my money back because it's going to be a huge mess about and there are unknown costs and damages because of the no oil issue, to which he's replied that he would refund because the car was in perfect working order when sold.

I thought that a trade advert on autotrader is that you're buying from a dealer, whereas private sale is just buying privately.... He had stated he was an independent dealer but I just don't know. May speak to him today to test his resolve and see what he says.

I paid via a bacs transfer, immediate payment there and then, so not sure if I can retrieve that money if I wished. He had said specifically in a text it's a trade sale, which I stil have, and told me it's covered under a basic warranty that covers the engine, gearbox etc. and also now have a copy of the advert from autotrader to confirm it was a trade advert. I'll use what you've said and see if my garage advises similar also tomorrow and then will go back and ask for my refund then.

That's true, it had it's service 6k miles ago, prior to me buying, so id assume that all would have been okay at that point, and it's MOT in April. I don't know tbh, I'm gonna try the oil and run into the garage tomorrow and see if they can advise also. I've initially tested the water with the dealer and said that it could indicate a serious underlying issue to which he's just replied, it shouldn't be as the engine running perfectly fine. I'll see what the garage says and will use that as a gauge of what action to take with the dealer. Have a sneaking suspicion he's going to try and say he sold it to me privately though based on the paperwork given.