8v/16v Autotrader Used Car sales 9/10 Can't tell the difference

[Fl@pper]

been bored so just nosing around autotrader at various models window shopping and looking for an odd motor etc when i searched 'ibiza' and '16v'

a few came up as usual in various guises and prices buit as i looked through i thought some of these had odd wheels on

zoomed in on a few and as i was both bored and have access to DVLA's database i tapped a few odd looking cars in

amazingly nearly every '16v' i checked is actually an AGG 2.0 8v ?????


as the wise old Captain of 'Hill Street Blues' used to say 'Be Careful Out There'

 

[Sloggs]

It seems i fall into the group of 9, and after purchasing an 8v advertised as a 16v, do i not have rights? it was less than a week ago and on no document that i have does it state how many valves it has. It's only when i have come to looking around at others that I have got suspicious. I've emailed auto trader asking them for a copy of the advertisement to be forwarded to me due to things not being as described. Where do I go from here? or is it just down to tough luck and dont be fooled again??

 

[roly]

I noticed the same when i was searching for mine (we were still a main dealer at the time so i still had access to the kerridge system) couldn't believe the garages i'd phoned telling them it wasn't a valver and they were still swearing blind it was!!

 

[robreidmotors]

Firstly I would ask yourself, if, aside from it being 'missold' to you you are happy with the car?

The reason I ask this is that it would be a good idea to call the seller, politely, and explain that the car is an 8v not 16v, and see what they say.

If you are happy with the car then perhaps a reduction may be offered, or free servicing?

Or perhaps if they are honest they might offer your money back, if you are unhappy with it being 8v.

If neither of them happen then I would say get in touch with trading standards and ask their advice, but as I say, in the first instance just ask if you like the car regardless and see what the seller says.

Incidentally, I drive an 8v and although im considering a 16v the 8v is really easy to work on and simpler to understand.

 

[Fl@pper]

not aimed at buyers more of the sellers adevrtisements

had a feeling it might have been an issue (sorry) as i have seen soo many recent threads asking how to tell the difference

i can only guess you would have a case as it has been (possibly unwittingly mind) sold as a 16v but my guess is to seek proper legal advice as soon as possible asi would imagine there was some legal comeback of some sort

If the seller was acting in the course of a business (that is as a 'vendor') and you were acting as an individual (that is as a 'consumer') then you are legally entitled to cancel the contract and give him back the car and demand a refund - or, as he has breached the contract, the courts could award you damages, if you wanted to go that far.

The Sale of Goods Act (1979) As Amended does not provide the same protection within contract entered into within private sales or businesses - the contract is bound by the maxim 'caveat empor' - which means buyer beware !

However, the aforementioned piece of law (Section 13) implies that if the goods do not comply with the description by which they were offered, then there is a breach of condition and the buyer is legally entitled to repudiate (i.e. cancel or end) the contract in which he has entered.

So, in short, yes you can demand a refund!

after a quick search - but by no means authenticated legal advice as i'm no lawyer

 

[robreidmotors]

I have noticed this a lot, its easy to spot the difference!, just looking in the engine bay the 16v's have a massive exhaust branch coming from the front of the engine! whereas the 8v just show the normal spark plugs, with exhaust from the rear!

 

[Fl@pper]

I have noticed this a lot, its easy to spot the difference!, just looking in the engine bay the 16v's have a massive exhaust branch coming from the front of the engine! whereas the 8v just show the normal spark plugs, with exhaust from the rear!

?? 16v inlet goes from the front (with 16v on it) and over the top with the exhaust hidden down the rear - this post shows pics to help anyway http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2195645&postcount=2

Don't forget they might not have known themselves ???

either way : as robreid says first see if you like the car itself and wanna keep it ?

 

[Sloggs]

I am happy with the condition, I am happy with how it looks, I am not happy however with how it perfroms. Within 3 days and less than 100 miles the car has developed a fault.
the car is having some real problems pulling away, 1st gear seems to rev a lot rather than accelerating and it makes an awful stink, once the juddering and revving is out the way and i'm on a roll i can slip it into third and the thing takes off, the revs go sky high and it feels like its on boost. I think maybe the garage where i purchased it from have been very dishonest indeed, the guy was very reluctant to let me have a test drive, "subject to purchase" were his words.

 

[Fl@pper]

sounds like a knackered clutch to be honest

if you have been 'done over' at least you have a bit more ammo now

 

[WeeJase]

I am happy with the condition, I am happy with how it looks, I am not happy however with how it perfroms. Within 3 days and less than 100 miles the car has developed a fault.
the car is having some real problems pulling away, 1st gear seems to rev a lot rather than accelerating and it makes an awful stink, once the juddering and revving is out the way and i'm on a roll i can slip it into third and the thing takes off, the revs go sky high and it feels like its on boost. I think maybe the garage where i purchased it from have been very dishonest indeed, the guy was very reluctant to let me have a test drive, "subject to purchase" were his words.

I'd have not bought it myself without a test drive.i'd be having a word with the local trading standards

 

[m0rk]

I've been looking at valvers recently... they all are 8v's (spoiler gives it away every time)

most disappointing.

 

[robreidmotors]

I am not sure if you have a claim on the actual mechanical condition of the car, or if you do, it might get difficult legally.

However, and the key here is time, I would get in touch with trading standards and if I were you would look at returning the car and receiving your money back. The 16v to 8v is a major difference and the car has been 'mis-sold.'

The seller sounds dubious to me, whenever I have sold a car a test drive is never an issue, in fact I sold a Saab a few months ago and had to persuade the buyers to take it for a test drive!

 

[Sloggs]

Would it be possible if i gave you the reg number to find out for definate what the exact model of the car is?? i've just been on the phone to autotrader as the email i sent got nowhere,

 

[Fl@pper]

Would it be possible if i gave you the reg number to find out for definate what the exact model of the car is?? i've just been on the phone to autotrader as the email i sent got nowhere,

email it to me if you like - home now but i can forward all the car details listed to you tomorrow if it helps ?

 

[robreidmotors]

If you go on autotraders home page, scroll down the left there is a 'Check a Cars History' box. Put your reg in there and you will get brief info for free, including if its 8v or 16v and engine size.

Give trading standards a call in the morning, they may represent you and sounds more professional.

 

[Tom B]

I found the same when I was looking for a MK2 Ibiza last time around, it amazes me how people can't remember what they've bought!

It seems that people also do this with MK4 Golf GTIs, some people think that all GTIs are turbo'd, then buy a 2.0 8V and want a remap, then there are others that think that if they're 1.8, they must be turbo'd...nope!

 

[Sloggs]

I've just heard back from autotrader, the advert deffinately states it as a 16v, the young lady suggested ringing the seller before contacting trading standards due to the possibility of it being a genuine mistake, I'm thinking, nevermind that, as a man who does this for a living he should know what he is selling!

 

[Sloggs]

Rob, i gave that check the history a go, it doesnt state on there as to what valve mine is, however my wife has just found in a customer care booklet from the original sale of the car, in there it states that its an agg.

 

[silverline1]

theres a red one on pistonheads for £1800

definately not a 16v but the guy swears by the fact he says it is

 

[Fl@pper]

I've just heard back from autotrader, the advert deffinately states it as a 16v, the young lady suggested ringing the seller before contacting trading standards due to the possibility of it being a genuine mistake, I'm thinking, nevermind that, as a man who does this for a living he should know what he is selling!

as said above (he should) but then might genuinely not have known

could even be down to autotrader's info input system mind if it goes off reg no.

Rob, i gave that check the history a go, it doesnt state on there as to what valve mine is, however my wife has just found in a customer care booklet from the original sale of the car, in there it states that its an agg.

AGG is a 2.0 8v (115bhp)

sorry