Ripped off buying private car, advice?

philbagg

Disclaimer: I'm well aware that I acted stupidly in this scenario, and I'm trying to dig myself out of a mess

TL;DR - Bought a car off a guy at his house, turned out to have much more problems than anticipated. He's reluctant to give my money back. What can I do?

I bought a car on one of the online buy-n-sell type sites. It's a 99 with 117,000+ miles on it. I called the guy on wednesday and asked him if he could bring it to my friends job (a garage) on thursday evening so it could be inspected on the ramp by a trusted mechanic before I bought it. Initially, he said he had no license and couldn't bring it up, but eventually said he'd get his dad to drive it up. He also tells me he originally wanted 1000 for it, but because the NCT pre-test said it needed two front tyres and a CAT he'd drop it to 800, and I managed to bargain him down to 750. Sorted? No.

It's thursday evening, he said he'd be there at 6:30. That time passes, and at 6:45 I'm ringing him to ask where he is as the place closes at 7:30. He said he's 20 minutes outside of Dublin?? This is the point when I should've walked away.

I asked him to just get his dad to drive it up without him and I'd deal with his dad instead. I rang him plenty of times and most of the time he didn't pick up or respond to my texts. Eventually at around 7:30, he rings me asking can I drive down to him at his house and have a look as his dad couldn't bring it up. I stupidly agree. This is also around the point that he gives me a "personal guarantee" that if the car doesn't check out properly when I get the mechanic to have a look at it over the next few days, he'll give me my money back.

So he texts his address and me and my friend drive down. We knock at his door and it turns out he's still not home, and we end up sitting outside his house for over half an hour.

He eventually rings me and gets me to walk to the lane around the back of his house (the houses are terraced so the garages are all out the back), and as we approach, he's lying under the car, while a "mechanic" (one of his mates who messes around with cars) has his head under the bonnet. He's fitting a clutch! :eek: There's a bit of chit-chat going on and I'm asking a few questions about the car. I had a look under the oil cap to check for white gunk, and was glad to see there was none. He also informed me that the driver-door handle is a bit bogey, and that the car usually can't be unlocked from that side, but the central locking will take care of it from the passenger side. He points out that it's just a spring/screw loose and is a small job.

Also, the ABS light is on, and the sensor on the passenger side needs replacing.

After waiting a while, he says that it's not going to be ready tonight, and I could collect it the next day (Friday) after work. Grand. My friend picked me up at work and we drove down. I handed over the money like an excited idiot. She took it for a test drive (she test-drives a lot of cars in work) and it seemed fine, bar one or two minor faults at first. Then there was a slight pop and some smoke started coming out of the back. So I rang the guy and he said it was the CAT (which I knew about).

On the drive home I realised the handbrake barely works - I could reef it all the way up and drive nearly uninhibited. Was told the cable needs replacing and that it was cheap enough. Also, the driver seat doesn't click in to place, so every now and then the seat might push back while driving.

Brought it up to her garage yesterday, and it was brought up on the ramp. The mechanic had a look underneath the car and under the bonnet.

Full list of problems:
Oil coming from a lot of places :eek:
The gearbox is barely holding on.
The battery is loose.
The rear-passenger parking light is gone.
The boot won't hold closed. (it doesn't open on its own, but can be lifted without pushing the button)
A screw popped out of the driveshaft when the mechanic tried to put it on the ramp!
It needs four tyres, not two.
It veers very slightly to the left when the steering wheel is straight.
Handbrake doesn't work properly.
There's a squeeky knocking noise coming from the brakes.
There's another knocking noise when you steer left or right.
The driver seat doesn't lock into place.
There's a sound of air being pushed when you brake (not loud, only heard when the car is off).
I think there's a noise coming from the clutch.
The handle on the driver door is messed up. Takes a lot of messing around with to open/lock/unlock.
The ABS light is on because it needs a new sensor on the passenger side.

(that's all I can remember for now)

I rang the guy I bought it off, and long story short, he says that I haven't got a leg to stand on, and that I can't get the money back because he's already "given it to his ma". This woman is supposedly blind, and there's no way it's in a bank because she just got it on the Friday and this conversation was on the saturday. The banks were closed.

He also told me that he sent the log book off (I didn't agree to this just yet), but I told him that I can call them up and dispute that I never agreed to this. Is that true? Can I do that?

After some dialogue, he tells me that he'll try and get "one of the many others interested" to buy the car, and that I might lose out on 50 of the 750 I paid (I don't REALLY mind that). I told him that if someone does buy it, and there's any problems, they're being sent his way and not mine. He agrees to that.

I don't have any reason to trust him on that part, so I'm looking for some advice. What can I do to dig myself out of this mess?

And if I don't get the money back, does anyone have any idea how much I'm looking at (roughly) to get it fixed up? Starting with the important stuff and then moving on to smaller things.

Once again, I'm well aware I acted stupidly but one of the things I'm happy about is the lessons learned. So please refrain from calling me an idiot, I'm well aware of that

(sorry it's so long, just wanted to get the full story out there)

George Dalton

Why are people always surprised when a 13 year old car being sold privately for €750 turns out to be less than perfect?

OldmanMondeo

A 13 year old car will give problems, burt maybe not as many as listed, I would be interested in seeing if the milage is correct as well. Sound like it has had a hard life. What car is it.

TBH if you do get money back your a lucky man, the seller is well within his rights to tell you to get lost, hopefully they don't.

peteb2

Sorry dude. You dont have a leg to stand on! Buyer beware and all that!

MacOwen

Sorry buddy, but i don't think you have a leg to stand on! I reckon you are looking at a few hundred to get her sorted at least. Stories like this would really p*ss you off!

fasttalkerchat

I know you won't be feeling good right now so I'm not gonna comment on things that can't be changed. First thing, don't spend a penny trying to fix it. From what you've told us it looks like any value the car has is as scrap value and parts. Depending on the car, this might be as much as 500 Euro.
Secondly, don't drive the car. If the seat slides forward you could end up in a hedge. If a more serious fault happens it could be worse.
Third, the guards lack any motivation or ability when it comes to you getting ripped off with a banger. You don't have a leg to stand on. If you can get even 600 Euro from the seller take it and worry about the 150 Euro later.

Speak to the mechanic who told you about all the faults and see if he will offer you cash for the car.

No matter what you do now you will lose out. Accept that, learn from your mistakes and tell your mates what not to do in the future.

Gary ITR

You haven't a leg to stand on dude, you can't duspute the logbook being sent off, you handed over the cash and drove off in the car so that's that out the window.

All the warning signs were there and yet you still handed over the cash and bought the car, expensive lesson fella

philbagg

Thanks for the replies guys! I thought that much alright, didn't think I'd be able to do anything legally anyway.

It's a VW Bora btw, 1.4 16V.

I'm bringing it to a trusted mechanic on Monday, and he'll have a look at the car and see what kinda cost I could be looking at to get it fixed up. We know him well so he'd do me a really good deal if I did decide to get work done. If it costs a few hundred to get the major problems sorted I don't really mind that. To be perfectly honest I did a lot of my kicking and screaming yesterday, and today I'm just trying to make the best out of a bad situation. I really like the car, so wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to get it fixed up I suppose. Even the girlfriend's been driving it (she's driving years more than I am) and says it's quite a nice car to drive despite the issues.

If it's gonna cost a couple of grand or something ridiculous, then forget about it. It'll go for parts or whatever. Might just crash the thing into his house

trixyben

your on your own with this one there is no comeback with a private sale and id say you have very little chance getting your money back...

just take it as a learning curve when buying another car, if it dosent seem right it usually isnt!

Weylin

the seller is 100% right to tell you to get lost and keep your cash.it was a private sale. what were you expecting for that money :pac:.
nobody "ripped you off" why did you get the mechanic AFTER the sale?most intelligent people would have got an inspection BEFORE the sale!:pac:.

philbagg

Weylin wrote: »

the seller is 100% right to tell you to get lost and keep your cash.it was a private sale. what were you expecting for that money :pac:.
nobody "ripped you off" why did you get the mechanic AFTER the sale?most intelligent people would have got an inspection BEFORE the sale!:pac:.

Really? Never thought of that before.

Glad you got your 2c in anyway, good advice.

fasttalkerchat

philbagg wrote: »

It's a VW Bora btw, 1.4 16V.

A new clutch for that car is over 100 Euro. The mileage is low (you think) so the engine may be worth 200 Euro. If there's alloys on it (standard) you'll get another 100 for them in good condition....
It may add up to getting close to your money back.

fasttalkerchat

Weylin wrote: »

the seller is 100% right to tell you to get lost and keep your cash.it was a private sale. what were you expecting for that money :pac:.
nobody "ripped you off" why did you get the mechanic AFTER the sale?most intelligent people would have got an inspection BEFORE the sale!:pac:.

And for some constructive input you have arranged to lend your time machine to the OP?

Sobanek

Sales of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980 states, that if the product was misrepresented, the buyer is entitled to a FULL REFUND.

Gary ITR

Sobanek wrote: »

Sales of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980 states, that if the product was misrepresented, the buyer is entitled to a FULL REFUND.

Well done on passing Junior Cert business but that particular act doesn't cover private car sales among others

philbagg

Sobanek wrote: »

Sales of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980 states, that if the product was misrepresented, the buyer is entitled to a FULL REFUND.

Isn't that only with commercial sales though?

Sobanek

Gary ITR wrote: »

Well done on passing Junior Cert business but that particular act doesn't cover private car sales among others

uh-oh, every good sold, is covered under this act. Every sale/purchase is a legally binding agreement.

I'd go to small claims court.

Gary ITR - I studied both business, economics and accounting for the past six years, I know this and that :rolleyes:

philbagg

fasttalkerchat wrote: »

A new clutch for that car is over 100 Euro. The mileage is low (you think) so the engine may be worth 200 Euro. If there's alloys on it (standard) you'll get another 100 for them in good condition....
It may add up to getting close to your money back.

Cheers! Good to know that if I do have to break it, it could work out well enough

philbagg

Sobanek wrote: »

uh-oh, every good sold, is covered under this act. Every sale/purchase is a legally binding agreement.

I'd go to small claims court.

Gary ITR - I studied both business, economics and accounting for the past six years, I know this and that :rolleyes:

Hey Sobanek, glad for the advice But I rang the Gards (just for advice) aswell and they told me I haven't really a leg to stand on. Or are they just speaking from their point of view?

Is there anyone else I can ring to get advice?

fasttalkerchat

Sobanek wrote: »

Sales of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980 states, that if the product was misrepresented, the buyer is entitled to a FULL REFUND.

Does not cover private car sales.
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1980/en/act/pub/0016/sec0013.html#sec13
A breach of the law may have been committed if it can be demonstrated that the vehicle is dangerous because of a defect. However this would not entitle the buyer to a refund.

Sobanek

If one of the provisions of the Sales of goods and supply of services act has been broken, then the consumer is entitled to one of the 3 r's. Refund, replair or replacement. Which one will depend on the product and damage. As in all cases across the board, both parties must be reasonable.

It gave statutory rights to consumers in relations to goods and services as follows:
Goods must be: Merchantable Quality, Fit for purpose, AS DESCRIBED, Must conform to sample

It must apply.

(a) it is agreed between the seller and the buyer that the vehicle is not intended for use in the condition in which it is to be delivered to the buyer under the contract, and


(b) a document consisting of a statement to that effect is signed by or on behalf of the seller and the buyer and given to the buyer prior to or at the time of such delivery, and


(c) it is shown that the agreement referred to in paragraph (a) is fair and reasonable.

Drummerboy08

Sobanek wrote: »

uh-oh, every good sold, is covered under this act. Every sale/purchase is a legally binding agreement.

I'd go to small claims court.

Gary ITR - I studied both business, economics and accounting for the past six years, I know this and that :rolleyes:

Private sales are not covered by this.

Good luck getting anyone to court after buying a car from them in a private sale.

Buyer beware is the key here.

Sobanek

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

Private sales are not covered by this.

Good luck getting anyone to court after buying a car from them in a private sale.

Buyer beware is the key here.

Yes, however the goods were not as described. This is not something that happened over a period of a week, this is what the consumer found out, after he has tested the product / good.

The contract is a legally binding agreement between parties when buying or selling goods / services.

I would still try to resolve this at the Small Claims Court.

Gary ITR

Sobanek wrote: »

It must apply.

The vehicle was sold in a not roadworthy condition having failed the NCT, the buyer agreed to this, maybe go back to your accounting class and have a proper read of the law and this situation

CiniO

philbagg wrote: »

Full list of problems:
Oil coming from a lot of places :eek:
The rear-passenger parking light is gone.
The boot won't hold closed. (it doesn't open on its own, but can be lifted without pushing the button)
It needs four tyres, not two.
It veers very slightly to the left when the steering wheel is straight.
Handbrake doesn't work properly.
There's a squeeky knocking noise coming from the brakes.
There's another knocking noise when you steer left or right.
The driver seat doesn't lock into place.
The ABS light is on because it needs a new sensor on the passenger side.

Please explain me one thing.
If you went to buy a 13 year old car privately, did you just filled in paperwork, paid in cash and drove off like you were buying new one from a dealer with a guarantee?
Did you not take a look at the car at all?
Every driver without any special mechanical knowledge should be able to find those issues (listed above) during 15 minutes spend looking and checking the car.
For me it looks like you just didn't even bother looking at it before transaction at all.
If you are so clueless about the car, I would never try to purchase a car privately without having it checked by someone competent prior to purchase.

He also told me that he sent the log book off (I didn't agree to this just yet), but I told him that I can call them up and dispute that I never agreed to this. Is that true? Can I do that?

You didn't agree for him to sent a logbook?
He is required by law to send it straight away after transaction. He doesn't need your permission.

philbagg

CiniO wrote: »

Please explain me one thing.
If you went to buy a 13 year old car privately, did you just filled in paperwork, paid in cash and drove off like you were buying new one from a dealer with a guarantee?
Did you not take a look at the car at all?
Every driver without any special mechanical knowledge should be able to find those issues (listed above) during 15 minutes spend looking and checking the car.
For me it looks like you just didn't even bother looking at it before transaction at all.
If you are so clueless about the car, I would never try to purchase a car privately without having it checked by someone competent prior to purchase.




You didn't agree for him to sent a logbook?
He is required by law to send it straight away after transaction. He doesn't need your permission.

Did you read my post properly at all?

I KNOW what I did wrong, I CAN'T change it, I've LEARNED from the mistakes, but RIGHT NOW, I'm looking to see what I can do to fix it.

CiniO

philbagg wrote: »

Did you read my post properly at all?

I KNOW what I did wrong, I CAN'T change it, I've LEARNED from the mistakes, but RIGHT NOW, I'm looking to see what I can do to fix it.

I did read it all.

In my opinion, there's nothing you can do now.
Seller was selling you a car. As a private seller he is not required to describe it 100% with list of all faults. If you ask him a question, he is supposed to answer true best to his knowledge.
He could have actually know the same much about cars as you, and he could have not be aware about all faults you listed. And even if he was aware of them, I can't think of any way you proving he did.

When I was buying me recent car privately, even though I know a lot about cars I got it to my friends garage before transaction so the professional could look at it.
He found few things which I didn't see earlier when watching a car. F.E. that is was slightly crashed on rear side.

Even though I spend nearly an hour checking a car, and then another 30 minutes at the garage, I didn't realize that "lock" button on remote control didn't work, and that dipper lights leveling adjuster didn't work. I only found those two when returning home in freshly purchased car.
I'm sure seller knew about it, or at least the first one "lock" button not working.
But I didn't feel like going back with the car for a refund, as it was my fault I didn't check it - not his.

philbagg

CiniO wrote: »

I did read it all.

In my opinion, there's nothing you can do now.
Seller was selling you a car. As a private seller he is not required to describe it 100% with list of all faults. If you ask him a question, he is supposed to answer true best to his knowledge.
He could have actually know the same much about cars as you, and he could have not be aware about all faults you listed. And even if he was aware of them, I can't think of any way you proving he did.

That right there is a welcome 2 cents. So we've eliminated me getting my money back from him that's for sure. So I'm left with 3 options:

1) Sell the car on to someone else - don't want to do this and put someone else in the same position. I didn't really enjoy it to be honest!!

2) Bring it to a mechanic to get a rough price on the cost of fixing her up. And then do that over a period of a few weeks.

3) Sell it for parts

I'm not doing option 1.

I'm gonna try option 2, but if it's gonna cost too much I'll go for option 3.

If anyone has any more ideas I'm all ears!

danjo

Fiar play to you philbagg, you caught a good few. You will have to wait another year now to pull a similar prank!

philbagg

danjo wrote: »

Fiar play to you philbagg, you caught a good few. You will have to wait another year now to pull a similar prank!

I wish :rolleyes:

I really do!!

CiniO

philbagg wrote: »

That right there is a welcome 2 cents. So we've eliminated me getting my money back from him that's for sure. So I'm left with 3 options:

1) Sell the car on to someone else - don't want to do this and put someone else in the same position. I didn't really enjoy it to be honest!!

2) Bring it to a mechanic to get a rough price on the cost of fixing her up. And then do that over a period of a few weeks.

3) Sell it for parts

I'm not doing option 1.

I'm gonna try option 2, but if it's gonna cost too much I'll go for option 3.

If anyone has any more ideas I'm all ears!

From what you've written it looks like average condition for 13 years old car in Ireland.
I wouldn't be avoiding first solution. Just put up the add that you have a car for sale, when someone asks you anything just tell you don't know nothing about cars (which is true).
Anytime I was helping someone to buy a car like that under €1000 (and I did many times) seller was like that. I know nothing about cars, it's old and cheap. You can see yourself how it looks and what it is.

That's fair enough. Generally that kind of cars are a lottery. You might drive it for 3 years no bother, while it might break down in the middle of the road 2 miles from the place you purchased it.

Dai John

He saw you coming, punters like you are scarce. Put it all down to experience. It was a lesson you will not forget.

bazz26

From the Small Claims Court website: http://www.courts.ie/courts.ie/Library3.nsf/PageCurrentWebLookUpTopNav/Small%20Claims%20Procedure

Type of Claims dealt with:

(a) a claim for goods or services bought for private use from someone selling them in the course of a business (consumer claims)
(b) a claim for goods or services bought for business use from someone selling them in the course of a business (business claims)
(c) a claim for minor damage to property (but excluding personal injuries)
(d) a claim for the non-return of a rent deposit for certain kinds of rented properties. For example, a holiday home or a room / flat in a premises where the owner also lives provided that a claim does not exceed €2,000.

The Small Claims Count only applies where the consumer buys from a business.

philbagg

CiniO wrote: »

From what you've written it looks like average condition for 13 years old car in Ireland.
I wouldn't be avoiding first solution. Just put up the add that you have a car for sale, when someone asks you anything just tell you don't know nothing about cars (which is true).
Anytime I was helping someone to buy a car like that under €1000 (and I did many times) seller was like that. I know nothing about cars, it's old and cheap. You can see yourself how it looks and what it is.

That's fair enough. Generally that kind of cars are a lottery. You might drive it for 3 years no bother, while it might break down in the middle of the road 2 miles from the place you purchased it.

The reason I'm not doing the first one is because I don't want somebody else to end up in the same situation as me, and I'm not going to lie and say I don't know what's wrong with it. Because I have a good idea already.

TestTransmission

Hey OP,ya mind me asking what colour the car is?

CiniO

philbagg wrote: »

The reason I'm not doing the first one is because I don't want somebody else to end up in the same situation as me, and I'm not going to lie and say I don't know what's wrong with it. Because I have a good idea already.

To be honest it's not that much wrong with it, considering it's 13 year old car worth couple hundred euro.
Do you really believe, that other 13 year old cars advertised for less than €1000 are any better?

philbagg

It's black, why you ask?

And if there's "not that much wrong with it", I might just get it fixed up.

George Dalton

George Dalton wrote: »

Why are people always surprised when a 13 year old car being sold privately for €750 turns out to be less than perfect?

especially when its a crate on first viewing.

promethius

this has to be a piss take april fools

if it's not, phil by god you're one of the most niave people i've ever heard of.
worst case scenario, you've learned a cheap lesson in the grander scheme of things. chalk it down to experience.

this is a piss take right? the "blind" mother? come on..

Sobanek

Sobanek wrote: »

uh-oh, every good sold, is covered under this act. Every sale/purchase is a legally binding agreement.

I'd go to small claims court.

Gary ITR - I studied both business, economics and accounting for the past six years, I know this and that :rolleyes:

you make it sound like you're doing a masters, tis the leaving cert you are studying for. You are not correct either by the way.

TestTransmission

philbagg wrote: »

It's black, why you ask?

I know someone who sold a 99 Bora there a week or two ago with nearly all the same issues as your one has.Different colour tho so we're all good.

philbagg

promethius wrote: »

this has to be a piss take april fools

if it's not, phil by god you're one of the most niave people i've ever heard of.
worst case scenario, you've learned a cheap lesson in the grander scheme of things. chalk it down to experience.

this is a piss take right? the "blind" mother? come on..

As I said before, I really wish it was. I don't even like April Fools!

Unfortunately, I was that naive. The excitement of a first car got to me and ruined all my judgement.

And the "blind mother" is probably a lie on his part. Realistically, I believe the money has already been spent on a kilo of "sugar" or something similar, judging by the guy in question.

TestTransmission wrote: »

I know someone who sold a 99 Bora there a week or two ago with nearly all the same issues as your one has.Different colour tho so we're all good.

TT, from what you're saying, do you have any info on how much it'd cost to get this fixed up, or does your friend know? Just a ballpark figure.

...

BTW, new question. Can anybody recommend any cheap mechanics around the Dublin 9 area?

philbagg

Just found this:

http://www.transport.ie/roads/motortax/?lang=ENG&loc=2468

If a vehicle is sold privately, both the seller and the buyer must complete reverse portion of the Vehicle Registration Certificate (or in the case of pre-April 2004 vehicles Part B the vehicle licensing certificate) and send to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Computer Services Division (DVCSD), Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Shannon, Co. Clare. The DVCSD will process this transaction and issue a new Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) to the new owner.

I didn't fill this out

dmc17

philbagg wrote: »

Just found this:

http://www.transport.ie/roads/motortax/?lang=ENG&loc=2468



I didn't fill this out

Are you sure it wasn't a bag of magic beans you bought???

Jimdagym

philbagg wrote: »

Just found this:

http://www.transport.ie/roads/motortax/?lang=ENG&loc=2468



I didn't fill this out

How did you expect the department if transport to know you bought the car?

fasttalkerchat

philbagg wrote: »

Just found this:

http://www.transport.ie/roads/motortax/?lang=ENG&loc=2468



I didn't fill this out

If its anything like the V5 up north its just a name address and signature... did he ask you for your address at any point?

skyhighflyer

BTW, new question. Can anybody recommend any cheap mechanics around the Dublin 9 area?

Genuinely don't mean to sound like a dick here, but I have a feeling that you're already on the wrong road again. You get what you pay for and a 'cheap' mechanic (realistically a mate of a mate who 'knows about cars') is going to mean you'll wind up with another heap. You get what you pay for and a €750 Bora is guaranteed to be a bucket of scrap. How do I know? Because a half decent one will go for at least double that. Save up some cash, get a good non-cheap mechanic with the equipment to actually check the car (and some lad you're planning on throwing 50 quid to isn't that) and with a bit of luck you won't end up being rode like a pony on your second car.

john reilly

philbagg wrote: »

Did you read my post properly at all?

I KNOW what I did wrong, I CAN'T change it, I've LEARNED from the mistakes, but RIGHT NOW, I'm looking to see what I can do to fix it.

thought you had a list of what to do to fix it. four baldy tyres should have been easily visible. a lot on the list seems fairly visible

john reilly

skyhighflyer wrote: »

Genuinely don't mean to sound like a dick here, but I have a feeling that you're already on the wrong road again. You get what you pay for and a 'cheap' mechanic (realistically a mate of a mate who 'knows about cars') is going to mean you'll wind up with another heap. You get what you pay for and a €750 Bora is guaranteed to be a bucket of scrap. How do I know? Because a half decent one will go for at least double that. Save up some cash, get a good non-cheap mechanic with the equipment to actually check the car (and some lad you're planning on throwing 50 quid to isn't that) and with a bit of luck you won't end up being rode like a pony on your second car.

who said it was a bora

Gary ITR

john reilly wrote: »

who said it was a bora

The lad who bought it

john reilly

skyhighflyer wrote: »

Genuinely don't mean to sound like a dick here, but I have a feeling that you're already on the wrong road again. You get what you pay for and a 'cheap' mechanic (realistically a mate of a mate who 'knows about cars') is going to mean you'll wind up with another heap. You get what you pay for and a €750 Bora is guaranteed to be a bucket of scrap. How do I know? Because a half decent one will go for at least double that. Save up some cash, get a good non-cheap mechanic with the equipment to actually check the car (and some lad you're planning on throwing 50 quid to isn't that) and with a bit of luck you won't end up being rode like a pony on your second car.

who would pay 1500 for a 13 year old petrol v.w 1.4