MINI Clubman - Dealers selling privately - Liamsdad

Hi All,

I recently needed a run around vehicle whilst my car was off road. I used gumtree and found a mini listed under a private sale. he stated the timing chain had been done and a full service history with the last being done by a mini specialist nearby.

I bought the car and within a week it started having issues. Radio stopped working, slow puncture, drivers window kept sticking open and various warning lights showed up on the dash. Checked using the obd reader and faults related to the oxygen sensor reading high. On the way home the oil warning light then came on and lost power. Had to pull off the road as it was undrivable.

Whilst trying to find the mini specialist who had worked on the car, i found out the initial seller was actually the owner of the garage. He also had several other cars for sale on gumtree using other names. The business is registered as a car repair/dealer centre.

Anyone have any experience of where i stand. I'm confident he is a car dealer (seems the account i paid the money into is his trade account as well) so can i reject the car under the 30 days consumer act?

The car was advertised as private and i viewed and bought the car at his home address. He did not state he was a car dealer, in fact he said he was a barber!

Im not sure if this is a criminal matter as in fraud or a civil matter as in consumer rights act?

Any advice?

Thanks.

MINI Clubman - Dealers selling privately - leaseman

Your first port of call should be the Trading Standards office covering the area where you purchased the car. No doubt if your suspicions are correct, they will be aware of this operation and could well be as much help as you will receive anywhere.

If the seller is adamant that it was a private sale, there's not a lot more that you can do. Sorry for your experience and good luck. Please revert with any progress once you have spoken with Trading Standards.

MINI Clubman - Dealers selling privately - elekie&a/c doctor
I would keep of record of any previous, current and future sales from this guy if he’s selling on eBay or gumtree. This will help your case as to him being a trader/dealer .