Previous owners dodgy repairs

Marenghi

I bought a car recently of a guy I know through a friend.
When I test drove it the handbrake worked, he told me it had problems but he fixed it himself. Thought maybe he meant tightened the nut. Anyway there was a 3 week gap between testing and buying as he looked for a car to replace this one he was selling to me.
When I did purchase the car I didn't notice until I got it home that the handbrake wasn't working. He said it should be grand but he'll pay me 50 euro to have a mechanic adjust it.

Brought it to a mechanic he told me the calipers and cables are gone. The seller added large metal washers to the cable at the handbrake side which were causing them to go on way too hard. This extra strain must have made bits of the system between me viewing and buying.
The mechanic said what was originally a simple and cheap problem to fix was turned into a much bigger job due to your mans ridicilous attempt to repair it himself.

Is there any legal recourse for the cost of repairs seeing as the seller is at fault.

Chimaera

It's a private sale, so caveat emptor I'm afraid.

Del2005

Chimaera wrote: »

It's a private sale, so caveat emptor I'm afraid.

The car is dangerous, no brakes, so there is a comeback. Getting anything is the hard part.

djimi

Del2005 wrote: »

The car is dangerous, no brakes, so there is a comeback. Getting anything is the hard part.

Indeed; if the problem could be considered a dangerous defect then there absolutely can be comeback.

Tigger

the calipers are gone because the handbrake cable was too tight?
in what way are they gone?
what car is it

pred racer

Tigger wrote: »

the calipers are gone because the handbrake cable was too tight?
in what way are they gone?
what car is it

Bet ya half a curly wurly it's an almera;)

Marenghi

It's VW Golf Mk4

Tigger

So in what way are the calipers gone

Zubeneschamali

Marenghi wrote: »

I bought a car recently of a guy I know through a friend.

I prefer not to - too easy for problems to spill over into Real Life.

Brought it to a mechanic he told me the calipers and cables are gone.

Bring it to a real mechanic. The handbrake only goes on as hard as you pull it - shortening the cable or adding washers only makes the lever stop in a different position.