Confession of my stupidity

[slay]

Hello fellow Maserati enthusiasts,

I need to confess that I have done something so so stupid.

Stupidly, I trusted a used car salesman and traded in my Stradale for another (well, just because I wanted the colour and carbon combination).

Long story short (well, I will try to make it short), I got the car back last Thursday and took it to my detailer yesterday and horror - the driver side door, rear quarter and most likely the boot all have been repainted - thickness is twice that of the other side, with sanding marks ... etc showing under the special light used by my detailer.

Amazingly, I did ask all the questions about any accident damage repairs - minor or major, and was reassured by the salesman that car was accident free because they were very particular about the cars they bought. Incidentally, he also lied about full Maserati dealer service history, and other more minor lies.

So, I noticed the dealer that I was rejecting the car. I drove the car purchased back to the dealer - took me almost 5 hours each way. After waiting for the whole day there (because I needed my carbon instrument cluster back), the dealer asked me to sign a legal document to say that I was happy to pay 2K for the privilege to be sold an accident repaired car (although HPI clear). I am now sitting on a train back to London (costs me £120!), and ****** off!

They were trying to convince me that the paint, and the use of filler/sanding was just for cosmetic repair, nothing serious.

Even more unbelievable was that they started to pick on all the “imperfections” on my car (Stu’a old Stradale), about how his car had also been painted. I told them that condition of my car was not relevant and they were cosmetic repair rather than from accident, and the car does not have paint on one side twice the thickness of the other !

Obviously, I was not desperate enough to sign the legal doc just so that I could drive home.

I will be taking legal action against this dealer for not releasing my car (lucky I still have the V5C doc with me after taking my private plate off).

I think I have lost faith of used car dealers, I will only buy either from fellow enthusiasts, main dealer or Dicky in the future!

Not sure about forum policy on naming and shaming, this dealer should definitely be avoided!

Yeah I know, I should never have trusted an independent used car dealer (not you Dicky), how stupid ! I guess I have learned my lesson.

 

[Scaf]

Ah that’s such a pi$$er.
I would wait for the matter to be resolved before naming and shaming but perhaps a hint in location so people can PM you if they are looking in the area.
Am sure you did the right thing by rejecting the car and hope you get sorted one way or another ASAP.

Am I right that they have both cars and your money?

 

[slay]

Yeah, they have both cars and my money!

Please let me know if anyone is looking for cars up north - 5 hours away from London.

Not even sure why anyone would think it was ok to keep both cars and money and get away with it? Greed I guess.

 

[D Walker]

Doesn’t take the brains of an arch bishop to work out who it is, not sure how they can keep your car and your money...

 

[lifes2short]

sound like cowboy dealers to me, i'm not sure you did the right thing by leaving the purchased car there as well, would of been better to write/communicate with them stating that you are rejecting the car and with the reasons including the detailers comments in black and white and setting a deadline for a full refund. I wouldn't say that it's a minor thing to also mislead a buyer on main dealer service history, especially on a car like that

 

[lifes2short]

on another note, be aware that having the V5c doesn't mean you actually own the car and if you signed the px docs then technically it's now owned by the dodgy dealer who can still apply for the V5c direct to DVLA, stay on your toes with this

 

[Scaf]

A trip to the lawyer in the morning for sure!

 

[conaero]

Will Richard Grace report to the customer service desk...he's your best bet for advice on this matter.

 

[Felonious Crud]

If you financed any part of the purchase, including perhaps a credit card for a deposit, then you can seek recourse via the lender.

 

[slay]

sound like cowboy dealers to me, i'm not sure you did the right thing by leaving the purchased car there as well, would of been better to write/communicate with them stating that you are rejecting the car and with the reasons including the detailers comments in black and white and setting a deadline for a full refund. I wouldn't say that it's a minor thing to also mislead a buyer on main dealer service history, especially on a car like that

I have already written to them stating that I am rejecting the car. I don’t really want to keep the car purchased, given the longer I keep it, the harder it may be in rejecting it. By bringing the car back to them within 7 days of the purchase, they have no legs to stand on in any legal dispute.

Ideally did not want to leave my car there, but they refused to give me the key unless I signed the paper to give them 2k (would not have signed if it was 1p).

 

[slay]

on another note, be aware that having the V5c doesn't mean you actually own the car and if you signed the px docs then technically it's now owned by the dodgy dealer who can still apply for the V5c direct to DVLA, stay on your toes with this

I have called DVLA actually, and confirms that I was still the owner.

The dealer would need to be stupid to actually sell me car as well, that would happen if they think they are above the criminal justice system in the U.K. and just take what they want!

 

[safrane]

Rather than shame before your refund you could let others know the dodgy cars reg.

 

[lifes2short]

I have called DVLA actually, and confirms that I was still the owner.

The dealer would need to be stupid to actually sell me car as well, that would happen if they think they are above the criminal justice system in the U.K. and just take what they want!

On their current records perhaps yes, however, if you signed a px deal then the dealer is the new legal owner regardless of whether you send the V5c off to DVLA or not, not trying to depress you further but merely giving some useful advice/info that you need to know, sincerely hope this sorts itself out for you.

 

[Scaf]

I don’t know how these things work but it could well be that they do own you car (they bought it and have not rejected it) but clearly they need refund the money for it.

God only knows why they didn’t just cancel the sale / purchase and move on.

I had a problem years ago with a Metro I bought for my wife that I rejected, they had already sold the Mini I traded in. The issue then was they gave me an inflated trade in price which is what I demanded back so it cost them and there was VAT implication for them as well which I never fully understood.
It was a main dealer and I got the refund with little fuss.

 

[FIFTY]

Yup im fed up of dodgy car dealers too. Just Bought a merc with a "full service history" and i am fairly sure the last service which was a major has a fabricated invoice as the work was clearly not done (dirty filters, plugs etc)

 

[UlstermanAbroad]

I'm currently going through the High Court to recoup money from another dodgy dealer.
These are the people that you need to start with. There's full guidance on their website.
You can do the whole process without a solicitor. But, given the amounts in question....
Good luck!
https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money

 

[dickygrace]

Will Richard Grace report to the customer service desk...he's your best bet for advice on this matter.

Sorry I’m a bit late to respond to this, tag me in it next time. More than happy to discuss with anyone if they call me.