181 replies to this topic

[n1k_ns]

That's a good idea - I keep meaning to get in touch with the previous owner of my car to see if he has the exhaust heat shield

Doh!

I'll dig it out this weekend!

Totally slipped my mind!

[mandarinvx]

[John Faulkner]

gutted for you mate if it were me, i'd keep driving it though, if you've done 50k in it then, to me, its holding up well. not nice to find this out, but knowing this info dosen't make the car any more or less safe than it was previously...... might also be worth whipping the clam off to get a proper look at the damage, you might be able to repair it further, putting your mind at rest a bit more

Edited by John Faulkner, 13 March 2009 - 04:27 PM.

[vocky]

personally I would get it repaired by a specialist, the damage has been hidden by a new sill which will have to come off for the repair. then keep it, the resale value will be very low with chassis repairs it would certainly have been a cat B if it went through the insurance at the time of the accident.

[duncx]

Really sorry to read about your bad luck. It doesn't matter when you bought the car or who you bought it off, I'm pretty sure that the law is clear - 'it is a criminal offence to supply a motor vehicle for use on a public highway in a dangerous or unroadworthy condition'. If you can find out who put this car back on the road (not easy but must be possible) then I reckon they will still legally be liable. Getting any recompense is another matter, but if you're up for the fight it could be worth it, particularly if it's a business. Have a talk to citizen's advice, perhaps they can point you in the right direction. Good luck.

[Muncher]

Really sorry to read about your bad luck.

It doesn't matter when you bought the car or who you bought it off, I'm pretty sure that the law is clear - 'it is a criminal offence to supply a motor vehicle for use on a public highway in a dangerous or unroadworthy condition'.

If you can find out who put this car back on the road (not easy but must be possible) then I reckon they will still legally be liable. Getting any recompense is another matter, but if you're up for the fight it could be worth it, particularly if it's a business. Have a talk to citizen's advice, perhaps they can point you in the right direction.

Good luck.

Proving that's actually dangerous would be tricky. The fact you've done 50k on it proves it isn't THAT dangerous. As a car it's buggered and I doubt anyone would want to attempt a repair...

[duncx]

Really sorry to read about your bad luck.

It doesn't matter when you bought the car or who you bought it off, I'm pretty sure that the law is clear - 'it is a criminal offence to supply a motor vehicle for use on a public highway in a dangerous or unroadworthy condition'.

If you can find out who put this car back on the road (not easy but must be possible) then I reckon they will still legally be liable. Getting any recompense is another matter, but if you're up for the fight it could be worth it, particularly if it's a business. Have a talk to citizen's advice, perhaps they can point you in the right direction.

Good luck.

Proving that's actually dangerous would be tricky. The fact you've done 50k on it proves it isn't THAT dangerous. As a car it's buggered and I doubt anyone would want to attempt a repair...

Yeah, agree it wouldn't be easy, but the fact that a car can drive doesn't mean it's safe. There's the issue of reduced strength in an accident or even in a high stress situation. I reckon any 'expert' garage would say that damage is dangerous. More difficult (but maybe not impossible) to prove when it happened.

[Yellow_or_black?]

O/P - can you give us a photo of the car, reg, build number etc - this place is .Org Private Investgation Co. Ltd! Perhaps we could have a dig around and help?

[convict]

Yeah, agree it wouldn't be easy, but the fact that a car can drive doesn't mean it's safe. There's the issue of reduced strength in an accident or even in a high stress situation. I reckon any 'expert' garage would say that damage is dangerous. More difficult (but maybe not impossible) to prove when it happened.

But you'd also have to prove the car was in that state when it was bought. The garage could easily say it's happened sometime in the intervening 3 years

[Richy]

What a nightmare -you must be livid, i know i would be

Small business run from home, half a dozen cars - It stinks of dodgy'ness - ie i repair crashed cars and sell them on..

Looking at it i'd say it's repairable, a true fix with a proper weld and it will be spot on - if you strip the car you'd probably get it welded for £400 or less - if you panic and write the car off, or sell it as it is.. you'll loose thousands!. IMO you would be better off getting it done and keeping the car for many years to come.

As mentioned this is not dangerous, you've been driving it for 4 years - it's also not 'load' structual or stressed unlike suspension mounts [ the same mounts many catD cars on here have had re-welded on]


You want to get an experts advice on it, not hear say from bunch of forum users that probably don't even know what a welder looks like - never mind having them give advice about if it can be welded or not!!

How ever i would definitely find out who owned the car before you and the ''dealer'' - and also find out if the seller bought 'as a repairable'..

Edited by Richy, 13 March 2009 - 07:52 PM.

[jules_s]

What a shitty situation to be in...and a difficult call to make on what to do.

If this thread didn't exist I would be tempted with the cliffie and BAZ idea*

IE Park the the car in a really dodgy area and let a few chavs kick the clams to pieces.

Job done.

*I've never done this and will never do it either

[Muncher]

It pays to get an inspection by a specialist carried out if you are really intent on buying, the chances are it will identify sufficient slight defects to haggle the price down anyway.

[Jim Mitch]

Is it worth having a chat with your local trading standards? Even if you cannot (or dont want to) do anything wrt the dealer, they may well be interested in hearing your story (especially if there are a number of similar stories concerning the same dealer). Also, Consumers Association (Which?) may be helpful. Strictly speaking, from a legal point of view, you are still within the limitation period for contract claims (eg selling a car which is (a) of unsatisfactory standard, ( not fit for purpose and © not as per the description). The claim might be a tricky one given the amount of time, but if you can prove that you were not responsible for the damage (eg no insurance claims, full service history and witnesses who can support your claim that you havent had an accident), it might be worth a try. Also, dont know what the dealer actually knew at the time of sale. Dealer may have repair records which they would technically have to disclose (assuming they havent been "lost"). Finding the previous owner would help. Would suggest speaking to a solicitor if you want to take it further (ideally first find out if (a) the car was written off but sold as sound and ( if the previous owner is availabe and helpful). You can often get away with a 20 minute "exploratory" phone call before the clock starts ticking. You can decide whether to take them on after that. On the practical side, I would be worried about continuing to drive it. It's not dangerous until something happens and you need the chasis to be sound... Certainly something to inform the insurance company about as, now you know about it, not telling them could invalidate your insurance. Really gutted for you and hope you get it sorted soon.

[severnless]

Looking at it i'd say it's repairable, a true fix with a proper weld and it will be spot on - if you strip the car you'd probably get it welded for £400 or less - if you panic and write the car off, or sell it as it is.. you'll loose thousands!. IMO you would be better off getting it done and keeping the car for many years to come.

As mentioned this is not dangerous, you've been driving it for 4 years - it's also not 'load' structual or stressed unlike suspension mounts [ the same mounts many catD cars on here have had re-welded on]


You want to get an experts advice on it, not hear say from bunch of forum users that probably don't even know what a welder looks like - never mind having them give advice about if it can be welded or not!!

How ever i would definitely find out who owned the car before you and the ''dealer'' - and also find out if the seller bought 'as a repairable'..

very wise words

get it repaired and continue to enjoy it

[Zoobeef]

What did you do about this in the end?

[siztenboots]

he's not been on for 12 months

[Zoobeef]

he's not been on for 12 months

Hmmm wonder if it was sold on as is then. When you click on his topics and posts in his profile there empty. Any way of finding them to find the cars registration?


Also cant find the thread with the guy that ground all the bolts of under the car to try and remove the floorplan

[The Batman]

the guy who did the floor pan worked for aston martin didnt he

[ElizP987]

I'd hate to be in Zagabkas situation - it's a real 'rock and a hard place' type position, but what it does show is that all the CAT C/D's around advertised as "light Damage Only" can sometimes not always be the bargain they seem.

But the car was HPI clear so it shows that ALL vx's should be properly inspected and even suspicious of

Let this be a warning to everyone who buys a HPI clear vehicle (especially a vx knowing how easily they end up being bumped etc) and think/believes they are getting a damage-free car. I know a car should be inspected properly upon purchase anyway, but at least with a CAT C/D listed vehicle, you expect maybe some clues to its previous accident remaining (eg new paint etc) AND at least you are aware there is past history.

[ElizP987]

Yeah, agree it wouldn't be easy, but the fact that a car can drive doesn't mean it's safe. There's the issue of reduced strength in an accident or even in a high stress situation. I reckon any 'expert' garage would say that damage is dangerous. More difficult (but maybe not impossible) to prove when it happened.

But you'd also have to prove the car was in that state when it was bought. The garage could easily say it's happened sometime in the intervening 3 years