Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

Recently bought a car off some guy (private sale) had it for about 1 month and it has been feeling alot less powerful, so i took the car to get dyno and tune up at the same place he got it done at last time (3 months earlier) they told me that he came in and got it dynod and compression tests but compession was low and was runnning on 5 cylinders so it needs a rebuild.

They said the same thing to me.

Just wondering is there anything i can do since he knew about the problem?

I thought legally you cant sell something that has a major problem like that without telling the person who is buying it first, Got free legal advice today they said the same thing and i can go to small claims court... Any ideas ?

Spoke to him on friday first off he said the car had no problems when he sold it to me but then when i said that i took it to the same place he took it for the dyno he said "Oh yeah they did tell me it needed a rebuild" then he ended up saying ring me on monday with a quote so i did but he was just being a smart ass and said hes not paying for anything.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/106673-advice-plz/
Share on other sites

i got done with a dato 1600 the same way, took the head off to find oval boars. I ended up selling it again, but at least i told the guys who bought it.

basicly i found out taht its buyer beware, but anything over a certin amount has a cool of perioed, do ring the fair traders, but taking it to court is a long and expensive process, which would require you statements from the mechanics. Good luck.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/106673-advice-plz/#findComment-1967939
Share on other sites

That's called misleading and deceptive conduct and is expressly outlawed by the Trade Practices Act.

You definitely have a case. Not saying that taking anything to court is easy but I think you would be right in this instance.

Are you in Sydney?

If so pm me some details if you like and I will look into it.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/106673-advice-plz/#findComment-1968174
Share on other sites

i feel sorry for you but my personal opinion is that as the buyer you must be aware and responsible to check the car, when selling a car owners will never tell you the 100% whole story about the car, even for minor things (unfortunately in your case, major)

this is why everyone usually gets the car checked out by an expert if you cant check it yourself, and revs check etc.

abo bob, from what you are saying there must be different circumstances in relation to money owing on the car, because as far as i understand it if you (unknowingly) buy a car with money owning on it its your problem?

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/106673-advice-plz/#findComment-1968622
Share on other sites

I believe you are on your own, buyer beware Im afraid. You really cant prove anything that he knew it was on its way. I know you dont want to hear it but there isnt anything you can do unless he misrepresented the car when he was selling it, he said it was a GTR and it was a GTST etc.

Buy a second hand motor from importers with a warranty and learn from it and move on!

Dont stress mate!!

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/106673-advice-plz/#findComment-1970229
Share on other sites

i feel sorry for you but my personal opinion is that as the buyer you must be aware and responsible to check the car, when selling a car owners will never tell you the 100% whole story about the car, even for minor things (unfortunately in your case, major)

this is why everyone usually gets the car checked out by an expert if you cant check it yourself, and revs check etc.

abo bob, from what you are saying there must be different circumstances in relation to money owing on the car, because as far as i understand it if you (unknowingly) buy a car with money owning on it its your problem?

Yeah that's different because that involves the law of ownership and conversion. I guess you could still sue under the trade practices act the guy that sold it but that wouldn't change the fact that the bank or whatever owned the car.

As long as the workshop you went to will be a witness you have absolute proof of his deceptive conduct. If you bought the car for $8k or something it could be argued that you knew it was a substandard car because the price is so far off the pace.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/106673-advice-plz/#findComment-1970606
Share on other sites

Yeah that's different because that involves the law of ownership and conversion. I guess you could still sue under the trade practices act the guy that sold it but that wouldn't change the fact that the bank or whatever owned the car.

As long as the workshop you went to will be a witness you have absolute proof of his deceptive conduct. If you bought the car for $8k or something it could be argued that you knew it was a substandard car because the price is so far off the pace.

Adam in a perfect world that should be the case but we dont live in a perfect world mate .

The guy that sold it will just say i told you the donk wasn't 100% and told you to make your own tests ..

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/106673-advice-plz/#findComment-1971855
Share on other sites

Rebuild the engine and move on. The seller shouldnt have to pay for something that you didnt spend the time and money getting tests conducted on in the first place. $100 could of saved you $1000's in this case. Maybe you'll remember that next time. I know if the owner of my old car which was purchased a month ago came and told me it would need a rebuild, i wouldnt pay jack all. Goodluck mate.

Dayne

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/106673-advice-plz/#findComment-1972562
Share on other sites

All legal advice ive had so far has said i can take him to small claims court, because i have proof he was told it needed a rebuild and then he sold it to me saying it was in perfect working order. So you cant sell something and lie saying its in perfect working order if you know theres something wrong with it and you have proof its called misrepresenting the truth.

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/106673-advice-plz/#findComment-1973089
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • Maf is a question mark but TPS  I have set at 0.47, the fact that I’m getting proper voltage range out of it with the key on leads me to believe it’s functioning properly. I’m getting proper voltages on basically everything. I still need to look up voltage ranges for z32 maf and test that 
    • Honestly no not at all, but it’s a very basic tune, it’s stock injectors q45 tps and z32 maf. Other than that it’s a completely stock base map. The file is from nistune and from my understanding if it was tune related I would be able to unplug maf and tps and it would still start even if it was a really shitty start. I have tried starting it with coolant temp, maf, and tps unplugged none of those 3 togethor or individually changes anything 
    • 🏆 Skyline Supremacy Meets Mount Panorama Magic 🏆 Join SAU NSW as we take the long way to Bathurst, the home of GTR greatness. Saturday 30th August 2025 7:00AM Meeting Hanna Park North Richmond 7:30AM Departure Cruise Via Bells of Line Road 9:00AM Arrival to Stop 1: Golden Poplars Meadow Flat 9:45AM Arrival to Final Destination: Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit Meet Location: Hanna Park North Richmond Stop 1: Golden Poplars Meadow Flat Final Destination: Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit   *Disclaimer* There will be a lead and follow car so no one should get lost. If you would like to attend or bring others along please put your name down and a +1 as numbers will be needed prior! This is NOT a race and we will all be adhering to all road rules. If this is what you want please come to one of our many track days. This is an official SAU:NSW event and will be run under a CAMS permit. One of the things that really sets our club apart is our commitment to being true enthusiasts. When on normal roads we strive to maintain good relations with the authorities as well as the public in general. When attending one of Skylines Australia NSW events please try to: • Be aware of surrounding environment and act accordingly. • Drive courteously on the state’s roads as a true enthusiast should. • Understand how important it is to maintain the good name of SAU NSW and thus, treat others accordingly. • Any misbehavior will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave.
    • What does it look like with highway driving? And yes, I had a similar thought as Duncan. It looks quite similar in my Stagea and I have made myself accept it as normal. Might have to look into it some day   Highway gets as low as 10l/100km on my end so I'm not as worried about it being a mechanical issue. More likely just the tune on the haltech.
    • While I was waiting for the new parts to come in for the charge pipe and radiator I decided to do some turbo modification. The drive pressure (exhaust backpressure) was a lot higher that I thought it should be. For 32lbs of boost drive was 55lbs. The turbine housing is a 1.10AR and my turbo builder has suggested to go to a 1.25AR. To test if a larger AR would do anything to reduce drive pressure AND not spend any money I decided to hog out the divider in my current housing. I removed it from the inlet and the whole way through the housing.  After reassembly and testing it doesn't look like this modification did anything for reducing drive pressure or requiring more fuel (making more power). Oh well, it was worth a shot. We'll get some data at the track if it makes it past the 60ft. I also machined a $7 shift knob off Amazon to fit my Stillway shifter since I didn't like the Stillway shift knob. Next on the list was the radiator replacement and fabrication of a new intercooler tube that had no silicon coupler. No pictures of this - I was short on time each night after work to get this done and didn't stop to take pictures.  Next was to get the clutch disks out and replaced. Previously when installing the dogbox I had ordered a set of the same sintered iron disks I had been running because I switched to the 26-spline input shaft. I thought it was odd that they didn't have any markings or brand name on them like all my old disks had but installed them anyway. At the track I could not get the clutch to lock up using my normal strategies. After two track nights I reached out to the clutch manufacturer and ask their thoughts. They said they had to switch the material out because they were having trouble getting the original material and that this new material would not take to being slipped very well.  So out with the first set of 26-spline disks and in with the correct material 26-spline disks. While I had the trans out I added an inspection/service hole. I've wanted one of these for a while. Now I can have a look at things and change the front cover shimming when needed (clutch wear). I hustled and got the clutch change done in a few hours on a Saturday. Hopped in the car and drove home. On the way home I did a 1-3 pull. When shifting from 2nd to 3rd the core plug in the back of the cylinder head popped out and dumped all the coolant. Thankfully I was only 30 seconds from home and coasted it there. Datalog showed nothing unusual and 2.5psi of coolant pressure. That plug has been in there since 1992 but I guess it worked its way out. Pulled the trans AGAIN and replaced the plug, JB welded it in, and made a brace. Also deleted the head drain I had added in during the bearing issue fiasco.  I am currently changing my boost control plumbing to make it cleaner. After that is done I'll make another attempt at getting past the 60.
×
×
  • Create New...