An elderly friend went to a major garage concern in Glasgow with her sister to buy the sister's new car. While there it was mentioned she was also considering a small automatic secondhand. She was offered one, tried it, and paid a deposit of £1000.

She left with a signed agreement to purchase the car for £5000 (a 2009 Toyota Yaris). She was to pick it up after it was serviced. There was then some prevarication about the date, and a phone call that 'she sould have to pay £2000 more as there was a problem with the gearbox!'

She went back to the garage with her daughter, who was told that her mother was a bit confused and that was not what had been said. Ultimately the manager agreed that the salesman had said there was a problem with the gearbox. It is clear that she was sold the car well below it's real value, but rather than come clean, they tried to treat her like 'a silly old woman'.

However the long and short of it is, that they will not honour the agreement and are returning her deposit. They went to Trading Standards, but finished up with Citizens Advice, who were sympathetic, but no help.