I bought a used car from a person and I am having some real issues....?

Question

I bought a used car from a individual 10 days ago for $700, I gave him $500 up front with the agreement to pay the additional $200 within a week. Within 3 days, I had uncovered an electric window that didn't work, a bad battery and the car kept stalling and sometimes shuts off when driving. None of these issues were told to me at the time of sale. The seller told me that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the car at all. It has been 10 days and I have paid over $100 in miscellaneous problems and the car still is not running good. I am putting it in the shop in the morning to have it checked out completely for problems. Should I pay the remaining $200 or what options do I have?

I already have the title and sent in to the DOR. I did sign an agreement to pay the additional $200 but all the money exchanged was cash. I don't want to renig on our agreement but I am upset about all the extra costs in such a short time.

Answer 1

Well you are finding out why you should buy a car from a dealer. Is your agreement in writting? do you have the title to the car already?. Can you give them back the car? In todays market $700 is not a lot to spend on a car that even does not run. I would expect a car in that price range to have some problems. After all if the car was perfect why would they be selling it in the first place?? Maybe the ash tray was full?? Did you ask them why they were selling the car?
Unless they have something in writting from you saying that you still owe them money or if they still have the title to the car I would not pay them. With out know all the details its hard to advise. Like I said if you bought a 700 car and it starts, stops, goes foward and backwards consider yourself lucky. A power window motor is not all that serious. How long was the car sitting?? If itn was sitting a while and run with the gas that was in it that could be part of the issue. Gas when left to sit for a while can turn to varnish. Maybe there was nothing wrong with it when they took it off the road. Cars not stored properly can be a nightmare.

Answer 2

Private sales, especially for under $1000 kind of fall into the realm of "buyer be ware". I would not pay the extra $200 that they want for the car, considering you've had it for under a week and already sunk an additional $100 into it. Keep your service records, keep your appointment and be ready to return that lemon to the seller. As an impartial 3rd party, it sounds like they have either swindled you or honestly had no idea what condition the car was in... either way, you should be entitled to some sort of restitution in this case. Be certain to clearly explain this to the shop where the inspection is being performed and perhaps they might be of assistance in the event you need to go to court.

Answer 3

This is a buyer beware problem. You should have checked the car out more thoroughly before you paid them any money and made a verbal agreement. You still owe the $200 but should pursue the person in court.

Answer 4

Ok, heres are your option, If you have the title, dont give him the money and tell him why and if you have some of the receipts show him of what you are going through, if you don't have the title, scare the guy with the law (that usually makes him) if not just tell the guy to give your $500+ whatever you spent. But you shouldn't take it to the shop without getting an answer from the person.

Answer 5

I would say you should gather up all the receipts from the parts and repairs that you have made and give them to the seller when he asks for his $200 .Maybe he will forgive the dept,considering he sold you a headache.

Answer 6

Small Claims Court is about the only option....let it be a lesson learned and always have a cars condition checked by someone knowledgeable about cars before investing your hard earned dollars...

Answer 7

If he knew about the problems and deliberately didn't tell you about them, then he's liable.

Answer 8

duh, don't take it to the shop, take it back and demand a refund, stop payment on your check and call the police and the DMV to report the fraud and find out what your rights are.