Forum:
I bought a car from AA Cars of Boston, Lincolnshire for £1000. Just seven weeks later, on the 23rd December, as I was driving with my wife and five year old son to see his grandparents for Christmas, the car broke down irreparably. The connecting rod had snapped and destroyed the engine. It was nearly midnight and we were on a deserted road in France. Slowly the car lights dimmed and died as the battery ran out. We sat there in darkness for several hours until the breakdown service arrived.
It cost me a small fortune to get the car towed from the road to the nearest town, to stay in a hotel for the night, to get the car towed back to the UK, to get the Eurostar back from France etc etc as the costs mounted.
I contacted AA cars whose solicitor wrote to me clearly stating that they were not interested and it was my tough luck that the car broke down.
I have been forced to start a small claims action in the Watford County Court – the hearing is on August 22nd.
They are prone to trading in an unlawful way as on the invoice the assistant wrote "Sold as Seen". This is unlawful and following my complaint, Lincolnshire Trading Standards Department have given them a warning about this.
BEWARE – DO NOT BUY A CAR FROM AA CARS OF BOSTON, LINCOLNSHIRE.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Email: eval(unescape('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%73%61%6c%65%73%40%61%61%2d%63%61%72%73%2e%63%6f%2e%75%6b%22%3e%73%61%6c%65%73%40%61%61%2d%63%61%72%73%2e%63%6f%2e%75%6b%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b'))
Web: www.aa-cars.co.uk
Telephone: 01205 356029
Mobile: 07734 414318
Fax: 01205 355980
Postal Address:
AA CARS
NELSON WAY
BOSTON
LINCS
PE21 8TS
AA CARS
I agree it is annoying but a con rod can go at anytime, even on a brand new vehicle and although the firm may be at fault by placing "Sold as Seen" under the Sale of Goods act, this is a separate issue. I think you will have problems in proving that the seller would or could have been aware of this fault at the time of sell and misrepresented the vehicle's condition to secure a sell.
I wish you luck on the 22nd August but I, personally think you are on a loser unless of course they fail to turn up when you will win by default. Getting that doesn't mean that you will be automatically compensated and if the AA solicitor has told you that you haven't a case then taking civil action to gain recompense is unlikely to succeed.
I'm sure alot of readers will take heed of your warning however it could be seen as liabalist if the seller wished to obtain evidence to counter your claim.
I agree it is annoying and I'm sure we have all had cars that sellers have sold with both known and unknown faults. Living myself in France I can also sympathize with you breaking down in a foreign country and with a child at night. Having done so myself before I moved over I know it is no joke and a nightmare. Luckily I was covered so recovery was free but none the less frustrating and inconvenient.
I apologise if my comments are negative.
OLDMINIMAN
M J Young