Car Swap Dispute

UV3003

Hi all, on 31 December 2024, I did a car swap privately. My 2008 BMW 116i M Sport (107 000km) for a Vauxhall Insignia (200 000km). My reason is size. I have a family and needed a bigger vehicle and likewise the other lad was looking for a smaller car so it worked out well. We met up checked out the cars with the initial hope being a straight swap. He noticed some rust under my BMW which he was rightfully concerned about. I was unaware of this and told him I understand and he should give it thought and consult his mechanic. He text me asking if he can get a mechanic to do a full over on the car. I agreed happily. I took the car and the mechanic did a full check and test drove it. He used a computer to check faults etc. Pretty thorough. The mechanic gave the lad a price to fix the rust and in good faith, I told him I would give him €1000 cash to compensate for this and perhaps brakepads or whatever else he needed. We agreed and the deal was done. We were in contact for a a few days to get the tax sorted, no issues.

Yesterday, 23 March 2025, he sent me a text saying I gave him a ****** car and it has non stop issues and he used the money I gave him but still giving issues. He insinuated that he wanted the Insignia back. He has the BMW on FB Marketplace listed for sale and the description says 'Car working Perfectly'. So I texted him this morning asking what the issue is with the car because he has it for sale saying it works perfect.

Sorry for the long message but I suffer with anxiety disorder and this has kept me up all night. I don't know what to do to make this go away. Do I swap the car back and call it a day, do I need a solicitor? Can he take legal action against me? The Insignia is perfect and my 4 year old loves it so I would hate to give it back but I also would like to do the right thing and I am not sure what that is.

Allinall

Ignore him.

User1998

Block his phone number and his Facebook and do not give him another cent. He has absolutely no right to a refund. Don’t let it stress you out. Just block him and forget about it.

UV3003

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123292393#Comment_123292393

Thanks. What if he knows where I live? I gave him my eircode to collect the final tax disc. Just a bit afraid. He is texting now insinuating I knew about fuel leaks and engine light etc. Not sure if I am allowed to post screens here.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123292410#Comment_123292410

Just block him. He won’t show up to your house. And if he does (which he won’t) just don’t answer the door, and call the Garda if you want. No need to post screenshots.

UV3003

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123292425#Comment_123292425

Thanks for this. This is my last message sent and I know you will berate me for the last part of offer but I am also aware he is a young lad using the car for work:

Look, firstly there was no leaks at the time and that is why I told you this. Secondly, if it was leaking and/or misfiring/stuttering, then your mechanic and you would have known when you both drove it as well as when he plugged it to check faults. Almost 4 months later and now you come to me accusing me of this telling me you want the car back. Let me be clear. This is a private swap treated as a private sale. I have been nice, respectful and understanding from the beginning. I even offered to buy the insignia from you cash if you chose not to take the BMW but you wanted it after your mechanic checked it. I am under no obligation to even entertain this conversation. ( I know this because I asked my solicitor this morning). So swapping cars is not going to happen. However, I understand this is your main car and as a man of faith, I want to help you. I am willing to give you some money, within reason to help you but there is no chance of swapping cars again. I take my daughter to school almost every day because she loves it. I have made some costly modifications to it.

suvigirl

Do NOT offer this person anymore money

soverybored1878

He sounds like an absolute looper. It's been over 3 months. Don't give him a cent.

UV3003

Seems the consensus is the same. I think I am comfortable enough to say no now. I really appreciate the input. Not sure how I close this discussion.

Wanderer78

…fcuking gangster, as others have said, block, ignore and move on with life, you ve gone above and beyond what most people would do it such a situation….

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123292441#Comment_123292441

You were doing great until you offered him more money. Please block this person and do not give him any more of your money

conor2469

Yup, block and ignore. He doesnt have a leg to stand on legally and is full of wind. His issues are with the mechanic he paid to check the car over.

Paul MCM

Block and ignore. If you give money, which you shouldn’t, he will be back again in a few months looking for more.

steinbock123

DO NOT GIVE HIM MONEY!!!

kirving

Also, while you think that giving money back is doing the right thing - it's not.

It's rewarding con artists who will buy a perfectly good car from an unsuspecting seller, swap the good parts for bad ones (up to an including engines and gearboxes), and then try to get a refund.

It's rewarding people who are just idiots and drive the crap out of a second hand car and want a refund moths later.

You are not a mechanic, it's impossible for you to accurately assess a car and give a warranty on it.

In fact, not even a mechanic who works on it, or engineer who designed it can make that prediction on any individual car, so third party warranties are really just an insurance product that a garage will buy for €300 to cover any faults. The person you swapped with got a very good deal no matter what way you look at it. He avoided paying potentially thousands of euro cost if he was to trade in his car and pay for your BMW.

The above can be simply wrapped up as "He has no right to a refund", which seems harsh, but I hope the above gives context to why he has no rights.

Also, don't bring up money. Don't bring your daughter into it. Don't talk about how much she loves it. Don't talk about how you do the school run. As much as I loved cars I've owned - they are an unemotional commodity and need to be treated as such when money is involved.

Alonzo Mosley

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123297256#Comment_123297256

Great post .. Take heed OP

delly

I know others have said to block him, but I suspect you might not do this. If he says anything else, or makes any aggressive texts, or even says he'll come and take the money you said you would give him, just say that you spoke to a local community Garda, and they said that it would be a civil matter and that they have no right to demand the car back. It just puts it in the mind of the other person that you are already talking to someone about it and may help them back down.