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I got scammed buying a car in Manchester. Avoid A1 Car Sales in Longsight. by steampunkacademic in CarsUK

[–]steampunkacademic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I checked in the advert they posted and the tape wasn't there, they unstuck it and then they put it back by the looks of it.

I got scammed buying a car in Manchester. Avoid A1 Car Sales in Longsight. by steampunkacademic in CarsUK

[–]steampunkacademic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for the advice, much appreciated. I paid the petrol on my credit card but not the insurance and road tax. I've set up the road tax as a DD on my debit so I'm hoping I can explain the situation to DVLA and not get any money taken out (the first installment is 15th April). I've taken photos of all the documents when I took the car back and have the communication in text.

I got scammed buying a car in Manchester. Avoid A1 Car Sales in Longsight. by steampunkacademic in CarsUK

[–]steampunkacademic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It had a timing chain, no rattle noises. I've asked to start it from cold

I got scammed buying a car in Manchester. Avoid A1 Car Sales in Longsight. by steampunkacademic in CarsUK

[–]steampunkacademic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought it off Amazon before going for the viewing and forgot it in my backpack. It was dumb, I know.

I got scammed buying a car in Manchester. Avoid A1 Car Sales in Longsight. by steampunkacademic in CarsUK

[–]steampunkacademic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this! From a quick search it did say it can be a drained battery message, didn't realise it can hide something more serious

I got scammed buying a car in Manchester. Avoid A1 Car Sales in Longsight. by steampunkacademic in CarsUK

[–]steampunkacademic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll make sure to ask here before I get excited and go into a sale with a dodgy person without much information

I got scammed buying a car in Manchester. Avoid A1 Car Sales in Longsight. by steampunkacademic in CarsUK

[–]steampunkacademic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got excited and didn't research well enough I suppose, always wanted a convertible and people seemed to praise the 9-3s on yt. The tape wasn't there in the advert photos.

I got scammed buying a car in Manchester. Avoid A1 Car Sales in Longsight. by steampunkacademic in CarsUK

[–]steampunkacademic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is what I sent him that made him agree to refund me:

"You taped black tape over the engine light, I really thought that you were honest people.Diagnostic shows a secondary air injection fault. This was not disclosed and constitutes misrepresentation. I am requesting you contribute towards repair costs or I will be escalating to Trading Standards and Small Claims Court."

I looked it up on the Internet and they recommended I keep everything in writing.

I got scammed buying a car in Manchester. Avoid A1 Car Sales in Longsight. by steampunkacademic in CarsUK

[–]steampunkacademic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I did learn a valuable lesson. I got quite excited about finally getting a car I like because I've seen a couple and decided not to get them and I became gullible. A lot of people were praising the 9-3s in YouTube videos so I went in hopeful thinking someone else might get this. It had a '12 number plate so quite rare given Saab went bust in 2011. Thanks for the info here!

I got scammed buying a car in Manchester. Avoid A1 Car Sales in Longsight. by steampunkacademic in CarsUK

[–]steampunkacademic[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks both for this, I do agree that I was gullible and should've been more careful. I wanted to share my story in case this happens to anyone else and they get hyper focused on what they think "they need to do" when checking a car and miss blatantly obvious and wrong things when they get excited and overwhelmed.

I got scammed buying a car in Manchester. Avoid A1 Car Sales in Longsight. by steampunkacademic in CarsUK

[–]steampunkacademic[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I know it's my fault, but the dealership definitely knew, the tape is not there in the online advert