Won a bid on a dodgy car

[finch1804]

OK so i was the winning bidder on a car that looked great. After winning the auction the seller asks for £250 by bank tranfer. He won't accept paypal. I have no details for the seller, no name, no address. Eventually he gives me the Regestration number of the car, afetr some googling i found out the car was written off.

Please see here... https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/29924757/Photos

https://cs.copart.com/v1/AUTH_svc.pdoc00001/PIX71/9aeacffb-d6e0-419a-ae96-d0faf4f8c9c8.JPG

The seller wont play ball and cancel the transaction and denies it's the same car even though the VIN and the Reg number match.

[corred · Accepted solution]

@finch1804

• Vehicle sales are Caveat Emptor
•
• There is no protection in eBay or Paypal for vehicle sales
•
• There are a few simple rues when buying any vehicle on ebay.....
•
• Never buy a vehicle other than cash on collection
• Always inspect thoroughly BEFORE handing over any money
• Ensure you check the vehicle is HPI clear
• Ensure the vehicle is not on the insurance database
• Only collect from the address on the V5
• Make sure chassis & engine numbers match those on the V5
• Make sure these numbers also match those on any MOT certificates
• Check the vehicle MOT history online (free at https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history) taking special note of past fails & advisories
• Ideally take someone who knows their way around vehicles like a mechanic
• Look online for any reprted faults on the make/model you are considering purchasing & look for any of these on the actual vehicle
• The absolute ideal is to arrange an AA inspection before purchase.....all respectable sellers should allow this
• Do not pay a deposit, these are not permitted on eBay & not protected under eBay or Paypal rules
•
• EBAY DO NOT OPERATE ANY SCHEMES WHERE YOU WILL HAVE 7/14 DAYS (ETC) TO CHECK A VEHICLE & IF NOT HAPPY CLAIM A REFUND - IF ANY SELLER SUGGESTS THIS THEN RUN A MILE AS IT IS THE OLDEST SCAM IN THE BOOK !!

• EBAY AND PAYPAL HAVE NO HOLDING BANK ACCOUNTS
•
• EBAY AND PAYPAL DO NOT OFFER ANY DELIVERY SERVICES

[finch1804 · Accepted solution]

So i just don't pay for it then and take the unpaid item strike i guess? There's no way to cancel the transaction? As the seller is being stubborn. And yes he broke the rules and asked for £250 to be sent as deposit to a bank account , i don't have the guys name or an address! Crazy!

[corred · Accepted solution]

If you get an unpaid strike & all your communications have been via eBay messaging then appeal the strike using your messages as evidence

[redwick1]

Motors should be cash on collection and inspection 

No deposit by a bank trasfer or even paying by paypal as you will not be covered and will lose your money

There is no money back guarantee on motors on ebay or paypal

It does sound very dodgy

If you do not pay then the seller could open a non payment dispute but one will not harm your account 

Better to have a non payment strike than lose any money on this

[finch1804]

Yes, theres no way i'm buying this car now. The seller is dodgy as hell and if i'd seen that car before i'd of not bid. he wouldn't give me any more info on the car such as Reg number before the auction ended. I wish i hadn't bid. Have you seen the pictures? There seems to be no way of cancelling it through ebay like there used to. I've had to block the seller on my phone as he started calling and giving me abuse.

[redwick1]

If the seller was not giving much detail before you bid then it may have been best to leave it well alone
I have looked and it looks like it is fit for the scrapyard.
Buyers do not have an automatic right to cancel

You could ask the seller to cancel but it does not sound like a person you can talk too.

[arkwebus]

Certainly do not pay by bank transfer!  Not even a deposit!

There is no protection through eBay for motors. The only safe way is to go and inspect the car and - if satisfied - pay cash after seeing all the documentation. 

If the seller is a business seller he could well be responsible [legally] for any undisclosed faults or omissions but that does not apply to a private seller.