What happens if a seller provides inaccurate information for a vehicle on classified ad?

[sandyman68]

I bought a van and the ad said it had full service history but seller said the garage had it all and once they reopened he would send it to me. What happens if the seller lied in the listing and he does not contact me again? He did promide to do it through Ebay messaging so it is in writing, if it makes any difference.

Thanks

[red_magpie]

What happens if the seller lied in the listing

Nothing happens. EBay won't be interested. There is no eBay or PayPal buyer protection whatsoever for motor vehicles bought on eBay, however you pay and whether by auction or through a classified ad.

Numerous buyers have lost their money when the vehicles they paid for turned out not even to exist. On one day alone we heard from three buyers who had each lost over £6,000. EBay will not assist you in any way.

Forget any promises made. The only safe rule is not to pay anything, not even a deposit, until you have seen the vehicle, inspected it thoroughly, including the paperwork, and had an HPI check. Then pay in cash on collection, which is the only method of payment that is safe for both buyer and seller.

If a seller comes up with excuses not to accept these conditions, walk away from it.

[1956glyn]

Hmm that sounds a bit odd to me as we have full service history on our car and they just stamp the book we have everytime it is serviced.

[tobiasd4]

Classified ads on ebay are same as in a newspaper or shop window, up to buyer to check details.

Ebay doesn't provide any protection for vehicles.

[roger_roger_over_and_nowt]

As above,i only ever deal with sellers of vehicles who have said little in ad but loads via messages.It sorts out the wheat from the chaff.

It's wise to ask as many direct questions as possible before you consider placing a bid or offer.

I learn't the hard way but i learn't quickly.

Maybe you will too.

Ad's on the net are impersonal,face to face and "spiney" sensors tell me a whole lot more.

Don't be afraid to walk away,there are many sellers who rely on a potential buyer taking in every thing they "write",words often mean little,actions and sense work better.

On the other hand the good sellers outweigh the bad.

[sandyman68]

Thanks all. I knew that there is little one can do in terms of getting any protection from Ebay but was looking for people's thoughts. The full story is that I saw the ad and it was a great price for full service history with recent clutch and flywheel plus HPI report (yes I do know the old mantra...if it sounds too good....) printed on the original listing. The bodywork looked great too. Anyway made an appt to go and see it but when I got there I was greeted by his mate because the seller was working. Fine. Took it for a spin, checked oil and generally seemed okay. When it came to having a look at the paperwork, there were only a few old MOT certificates plus the usual manuals with service stamps up to 2013. When I spoke to the seller on the phone he said the garage had it all but it was closed because of the virus. I was a bit suspicious at that point, but we agreed on a price which was 450 pounds less than asking price, although the speed at which he accepted my offer was also a wee bit strange. Anyway, I put a 200 pound deposit and said I'd pay the rest when I returned to take the van away. When back home I wrote a message through Ebay saying that it was important I got all the documents when things were back to normal and he said yeah sure etc....My question is really a legal one because if I never hear from him again do I have a leg to stand on if, for example, I wanted to take him to court for not honouring his promise?