Exchange is a robbery

I have bought a car for £1,500 and part-exchanged my car. The newer car is a junk. The head gasket has gone and will cost £800. The private dealer basically told me to get lost. Help.

Asked on 22 May 2010 by M.U., via e-mail

Answered by Honest John
These are your consumer rights, and some links to legal specialists: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights If he won't oblige, take the matter to the small claims track of the county court. But if he's an itinerant with no fixed assets, even if you win your case you won't be able to get anything out of him. Only sue if you can see he has assets, such as a house.
Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
    Select a few terms below
Similar questions
My sister bought a 1998 Rover 200 (1.8 engine) less than 2 weeks ago. The car had 105k miles on clock and she paid the sticker price of £995 and received a trade in of £250 on an old Transit van she had....
My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe, 125,000 miles, recently suffered catastrophic engine failure. Around 18 months ago, a new engine was fitted under guarantee. The cost of a replacement engine is higher than the...
My 2012 Nissan Juke CVT has developed a transmission problem and requires a new gearbox costing £7000. The car has only done 28,000 miles and we bought from new. It has been serviced and maintained by...
 

Ask Honest John

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 10% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ10 to save on an ALA policy

See offer