Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

peppiB · Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 8:43 pm Post subject: Very Strange

OK not strictly classic cars - this one is from 1992

My Merc 190E failed its MOT recently as it needs welding and I am no longer able to do such work, As the interior and a fair chunk of wiring has to be removed the quote from the garage was realistic, but the car just not worth it. Other than handbrake needing adjustment, everything else on the MOT was fine, and it sailed through the emissions test

Rather than send it for scrap a member of a forum bought it and arranged for collection and delivery to west Midlands. Car was collected on Saturday morning by a 'long distance recovery' chap. He said it would be unloaded and left in his yard from the Saturday until late Sunday as he had other work for the trailer.

Car was delivered on Monday. This is where the fun starts. The new owner is complaining that the car has gunge under the oil filler cap, emits loads of blue smoke, the engine is covered in oil and dripping on the ground and he is generally unhappy. It certainly wasn't like that as I watched it being loaded. Additionally there is no oil anywhere in the area the car was parked for the 2 weeks between the MOT failure and its collection. IF the car had been emitting blue smoke it certainly wouldn't have passed its emissions.

The new owner thinks the head gasket has blown. I saw no evidence of that when it was here, and this morning I went to the MOT test station and spoke with the tester who assured me that when he saw the car the head gasket certainly had not failed.

One thought is that in the 24 hours after collection from me someone substituted the engine for a duff one (I have asked the new owner to supply the engine number so that I can compare with the V5)

Has anyone any other ideas??

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4880 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
I'd check the VIN as well, someone might have just swapped plates with a clunker.
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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

peppiB · Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:10 pm Post subject:

Thanks Penman. Hadn't thought of checking that

Peter_L · Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 10:55 pm Post subject:

Here in Canada we have a great phrase that is used when buying things, even houses.

"Sold on a where is as is basis". You sell something, get the money and it is up to the buyer to provide concrete evidence of a fraud.

Buying stuff and then trying to get a reduction after the event. Move on.

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1751 Location: Derbyshire

My guess is that the car is exactly as it was when it left you and the buyer is trying it on.

JohnDale · Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 10:14 am Post subject:

Hi Peppi, think you need the numbers but I would guess your ' buyer ' has the log book so could give you the correct numbers anyway. Your MOT failure sheet will give you exactly what it failed on, ie, corrosion, & not emissions, large oil leaks etc. I'm assuming it's too far away for you to go & check what is going on - no one nearer that could check for you? It all sounds like a scam, even down to the recovery guy telling you it wouldn't be delivered till the Monday - time to do anything!! Hope you get sorted,cheers,JD.
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1958 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Convertible
1976 Ford Granada Ghia.

peppiB · Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 5:14 pm Post subject:

Thanks John. The car is now over 200 miles from me in the west Midlands (I am on Tyneside) The MOT failure sheet shows welding and hand brake needing adjustment nothing else. The MOT tester has told me there was nothing wrong with the cylinder head or he would have noticed and told me (and it wouldn't have passed the emissions)

Think this is the last time I will do a distance sale, unseen.

Although there was nothing wrong with the car, it is a case of caveat Emptor