I purchased a Jaguar XJS Cabriolet from a private seller via eBay. Before collecting and paying for the vehicle £15,000 I checked with an online company to ensure there was no outstanding finance on the vehicle and it came back clear. I paid for and collected the vehicle and obtained a letter signed by the vendor saying that I had paid for the vehicle and the full ownership of the vehicle had passed to me.

Several months later I recived a letter from a company called Mobile Finance saying that they had a financial interest in the car due to Bill of Sale loan the vendor had taken out before he sold the vehicle. An amount of £2700 was owed and it was my responsibility to pay this. Unless I didn't the car would be repossesed and sold. After being visited by ballifs I eventually agreed to pay £2300 and the car is now clear of any finance. I wish to take the vendor to the small claims court to recover the amount I had to pay to retain ownership of the vehicle. What are my chances of succeeding?

The vendor is saying that he assumed I knew of the outstanding finance and I should have had added the loan to the amount I paid.