I bought a car for my daughter in July last year for £950 – a 2003 Ford Ka Streetcar, with 12 months MoT (corrosion advisory note). After five months, the car became difficult to steer, so she took it into a local garage/MoT station to have it looked at. She was told that the corrosion was so bad on the subframe that the chassis and the subframe had virtually parted company and that the car was dangerous to drive.

She was also advised that there was no way that the car should have passed an MoT test just five months ago with such extensive corrosion and that repairs will be in excess of £1200. I have contacted the trader who sold us the vehicle and he says we 'haven't a leg to stand on' as it's over three months since we bought the car. I feel we should have compensation from him toward putting the car into a safe, roadworthy condition, which the 12 months MoT certificate led us to expect. Do we have any chance of recompense?