Dodgy Car Dealer Debts

You buy a car, it breaks down within a month (sometimes even on the way home), and suddenly you’re told it was sold as seen. Then the battle begins.

First off, a “sold as seen” car sale means that you’re agreeing to take the vehicle in its current condition, with no guarantees from the seller about its quality or if it’s fit for use. This is especially true in private sales, where it’s up to you to inspect the car.

However, this doesn’t give sellers a free pass. UK consumer law requires that goods must be of satisfactory quality and fit for their purpose. If you’re buying from a dealer, you have solid rights to either reject the car or ask for repairs within 30 days, even with a “sold as seen” clause in place.

If the dealer isn’t willing to help you out, make sure to document everything. Send emails and recorded delivery letters to keep a record. Gather all the evidence you can, like getting the vehicle inspected.

Chances are, the dealer might already have a bad reputation with county court judgments against them. So, it’s crucial to do your homework before buying from a car dealer. Check out my pre-debtor pages for more info.

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re having a tough time. I’ve found that just showing up can make a difference; other customers on-site are likely to leave, and if you visit regularly, the dealer might just pay you back to avoid the embarrassment. When I make a visit, I like to hang around and snap photos of all their cars too.