What you don't want is some thug turning up on your doorstep ! Which is why I try not to do private sales anymore...
Why?! They wouldn't just turn up. It'd start with texts/calls. At that point you contact the Police, nip it in the bud.
I remember selling my Focus, the two asian lads were suspicious of me, I was suspicious of them. I see the car daily now as the buyer lives locally and we always shoot the breeze/chat.
As has been said, I would reply and say "Its unfortunate that you're having problems with the car, after I had it for so long without any issues at all. Best of luck getting it all sorted." then ignore anything further. At least then you've been polite. You don't want her boyfriend on your doorstep, because the car's knackered and you've sent some smart arsed reply, which is what some here are suggesting you do.
🙂
Unfitgeezer: private seller, I have her Southampton address, and done with bank transfer.
I still find it very, very odd indeed that 2 days after its sold, it breaks down.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Next you'll get 'Ive had to pay for a hotel too'.
Ring in the morning.....
Two words: Caveat Emptor
She bought it, now her problem.
If you have her address it would be interesting to get a local STWer to drive by her house and see if the car is parked up there rather than in a garage....
I still find it very, very odd indeed that 2 days after its sold, it breaks down.
My mate had a VW T4 camper, did thousands of miles in, drove to Biarritz and back without a hitch. Put it up for sale, lovely family bought it, they had a handover with photos and tears of goodbye. On the way back with the new family the engine threw a rod. It got acrimonious but my mate held his nerve, he knew he wasn't lying and didn't have to pay it. It was difficult but ultimately not his problem.
Technically- would a failed EGR cooler not result in coolant loss?
The coolant level has always been completely immobile. Never varied.
Pictonroad- jings. That's a bad story.
I'd try and not fret about it.
it's to your credit that you are but I'd really just stop communicating and stop working out what's caused the problem.
wwaswas- yes, you're right. I am backing out. I've not replied to this latest text and don't intend to.
I feel bad, of course, but what can I do? Sadly, its sold as seen.
(And there is a wee suspicious bit of me thats saying: you worked for VW formerly, and now all of this is happening?... so exactly how does this scam work?)
sold my first car (fiat punto) years ago privately to a woman who saw it advertised on the driveway. she turned up with her friend who claimed to be a mechanic. she didnt even want to take it for a test drive. i insisted that she did and told her there was a slight knocking noise to one of the cv joints. her friend agreed with this during the test drive. she was happy with the car and paid her cash and away she went. a few days later she came knocking on my door with another guy also claiming to be a mechanic....saying that he had inspected the car and that the clutch was completely burnt out...that funny it was fine on the day i sold it. and now she wanted me to pay for a new clutch.
i told her firmly that the car was fine when i sold it to her and that there was no issue with the clutch and as it was sold as seen as stated on the sales receipt, it was not my problem any more.
the mechanic did confirm that the cv joint did need to be replaced.
i then spotted the guy she came to but the car with a few weeks later and asked him about her...his response was that she always rides the clutch and that on her last 2 cars she had killed the clutch this way. he also said that the clutch she had fitted to the punto had also now gone again due to her riding it...and that she was trying it on with me to cover her expenses.
OP if the car was fine when you sold it then i dont see how it is your problem. also she drove over 200 miles before it conked out....it would be a different matter if she had only got to the end of the street.
Its unfortunate that you're having problems with [s]the[/s] [b]YOUR[/b] car, after I had it for so long without any issues at all. Best of luck getting it all sorted.
FTFY
EGR cooler usually is around £250. VW labour is going to be circa £80 an hour, that would be £650 - £700 by the time they have added new pipes etc. Text her back and tell her its a good deal! 🙂
Thanks Gonzy. Its been hers since 12:01 on Saturday afternoon, and she's been doddling around Helensburgh for it for 2 days before this trip home.
I'm not expecting that I've heard the last of this, but I don't intend to either take the car back or refund anything. I know that I would be expected to maybe say this anyway, but the car has been trouble-free, serviced beyond what VW recommend, and driven sympathetically and carefully- I had to, it was needed for my job.
I still find it very, very odd indeed that 2 days after its sold, it breaks down
There is such a thing as a co-incidence you know.
I'm disappointed in STW that no one has asked for Pitchers
100!
Indeed, molgrips....."merely the illusion of coincidence".
[img] 
[/img]
Edit: Dammit.
Ha! Too slow!
Ha! Too slow!
....and I was doing a ton 😥
🙂
Missing the significance of "100"- ?
Anyone explain?
100th post. You win the internet if you post the 100th post 100 times in a day.
There is such a thing as a co-incidence you know.
+1
There must be thousands of cars sold every week, some of them are going to go wrong within a year of being sold. And of those there's probably a roughly even chance, so 1/52 chance of it going wrong within a week of the sale.
It's unfortunate, but perfectly possible.
Still not the OPs problem.
There must be thousands of cars sold every week, some of them are going to go wrong within a year of being sold. And of those there's probably a roughly even chance, so 1/52 chance of it going wrong within a week of the sale.
Pretty awful statistical analysis there, well done. This assumes that all cars break down once a year.
hora - Member
Next you'll get 'Ive had to pay for a hotel too'.
Almost word for word, re the text I've just had. Damn, hora- you're good!
What did it say ???
Find out where.
Send Hora round.
Is it now safe to say that no ifs, not buts, this is a scam
If you have her address it would be interesting to get a local STWer to drive by her house and see if the car is parked up there rather than in a garage....
I'm in Southampton. Is she fit? If not I'll just kick her rear hatch in 😉
hora - Member
Next you'll get 'Ive had to pay for a hotel too'.
Almost word for word, re the text I've just had. Damn, hora- you're good!
Beginning to suspect this lady was actually hora...
I will never buy or sell anything privately ever again.
Hmm, so last text said:
"Staying overnight in Preston".
"Staying overnight in Preston".
I think she is coming on to you.
In Preston? I thought some people on here had standards?
Well, apart from Hora.
There must be thousands of cars sold every week, some of them are going to go wrong within a year of being sold. And of those there's probably a roughly even chance, so 1/52 chance of it going wrong within a week of the sale.[b]Pretty awful statistical analysis there, well done. This assumes that all cars break down once a year.[/b]
No it doesn't. It assumes ", some of them are going to go wrong within a year of being sold" and then assumes "a roughly even chance" of THOSE cars that do go wrong within a year, going wrong on a random week, e.g., they don't all go wrong on the 5th of May.
Stick your tongue out out and say out loud
[i]"Country and Western"[/i]
😆
she travelled a very long way to pick up a car considering she is skint....
i think the hive needs updates every time she sends you a text...
I think I would text back.
"I am sorry you are having problems, but you bought a car privately, with no warranty. To the best of my knowledge everything was in full working order and the car was sold in good faith and described honestly.
There is nothing I can do to help you with your problem. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but that's the way it is"
Post her mobile number up...
Post her mobile number up...
Good idea.
My van broke down last week, I could tell her all about it 
To be fair has she actually asked for any cash ?
No more texts, and she hasn't asked for cash or anything else. I'm not responding if anything does come in.
In Preston? I thought some people on here had standards?
Oi!
Buy a new SIM. I am not one for being too mean but this is getting daft and I am afraid you are sounding a bit soft.
Hi Matt-
I haven't replied to either of the last two texts from the buyer, nor do I intend to- its been 5 hours of no contact and this is how it will continue.
Thanks though- you are right, I am a bit of a soft touch, but I'm not flinching on this.
I can see her mind working. Afterall you are 280miles away...garage says dont drive...
Any near Vw Preston who can drive past first thing/early' early?
Still even if the car is parked overnight outside the service dept ITS NOT YOUR PROBLEM. As I said I had a air/fuel sensor go once on anewly purchased car a week after.
Unless you deliberately conceled a fault why worry.
Anyway shes building the story. Tomorrow youll get a call/voicemail thats teary. Later this week 'partner' or friend threatening.
Funny you should say that hora, but coincidentally I may well be driving back up from somewhere a good bit further south than Preston tomorrow evening from a work trip, and just might swing past to see whats what.
You're right, it will escalate. I will stay strong.
If she sends another one of her informative texts, but doesn't actually ask for anything, I think you should set your position on it - reply, I hope you're not expecting me to pay for any of this - I was honest in my description of the car and once a car is sold as seen, it is no longer the seller's problem. Or words to that effect.
From Trading Standards:
"Private sales
When you buy a used vehicle from a private individual, you don't have the same rights as you do when buying from a trader. The legal principle of caveat emptor, or 'buyer beware' operates. You have no right to expect that the vehicle is of satisfactory quality or fit for its purpose, but there is a requirement that it should be 'as described'. For example, if an advertisement says 'low mileage, one previous owner', it must be correct. You should check the vehicle thoroughly before you buy it.
Whether you buy privately or from trader, you are entitled to expect that the vehicle is roadworthy, unless you and the seller clearly agree it is bought for scrap or for spares and repair. You should be aware that a vehicle sold with an MOT certificate does not guarantee that it is currently roadworthy, only that at the time it was tested it met the required safety standards needed to gain the MOT certificate."
I might well do that DezB- if anything, it will forestall further comms.
No it doesn't. It assumes ", some of them are going to go wrong within a year of being sold" and then assumes "a roughly even chance" of THOSE cars that do go wrong within a year, going wrong on a random week, e.g., they don't all go wrong on the 5th of May.
The "roughly even chance" bit makes you're accurate "1/52" completely meaningless.
Nothing will convince her. Well, sending her a link to this thread will.
Ignore. Making contact only keeps her door to you open.
IGNORE.
GD- noted!
I live in Southampton. I've got time on my hands and a newborn to get to sleep, give me an excuse to go for a drive and check out the address 😉
Chojin
Woman in Preston, home unattended, going on the rob 😀
Any more texts?
RH- I missed (ignored) a call from a withheld number yesterday, about 3pm (I very rarely get these.) But no, no more texts.
Any updates on this?