My Friend Bought a Toyota Car from a Local Mechanic and Now Has Engine Issues The Next Day

LBahubali on 03/06/2018 - 13:27
Last edited 03/06/2018 - 13:31 by 1 other user

Hi guys need your help, my friend has purchased a car from a local mechanic near his house and now has a engine issues.

He is a student and works really hard, at day time is busy studying at uni and do some odd jobs in the evening for some extra cash for rent and groceries, but finishes late so we all suggested him to get a car, so after saving for almost 8-10 months he manage to buy a car.

Me and my friend went and brought a car for him on Saturday morning, we did a test drive for almost 20 minutes all was ok nice and clean car few minor chips and marks here and there, engine looks very clean and good. Payed the money and got the car home we took it for a ride on saturday no issues. but today the engine light has shown up (Toyota Echo 2002)

Mechanic has provided a roadworthy certificate… There was no previous service history provided … We did ask but he said there is none he said the car was brought in auction so there is nothing. the car is not registered yet … What are my friends option against mechanic or shall we just ask for our money back?

Automotive

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 03/06/2018 - 13:29
    +3

    CALL THE BIKIES

    THEY'LL BE ABLE TO TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK

    • Neptunesblood on 04/06/2018 - 08:18

      Bikies joke. You must be slow.

    • Scab on 04/06/2018 - 12:16
      +1

      Even bikies couldn't turn off caps lock.

  • nocure on 03/06/2018 - 13:32
    +12

    STUDDING AT UNI

    Lol

    • myusername on 03/06/2018 - 14:05
      +3

      he could be a stud?

  • whooah1979 on 03/06/2018 - 13:46
    +10

    why is it always a friend or a family member?

  • whooah1979 on 03/06/2018 - 13:48
    +7

    engine looks very clean

    never purchase a vehicle with a clean engine. classic signs that the owner took their time to degrease the oil leaks.

    • HighAndDry on 04/06/2018 - 10:35

      Yeah - unless you're a mechanic and know what to look for, an engine looking "clean" is meaningless.

  • whooah1979 on 03/06/2018 - 13:51
    +7

    got the car home we took it for a ride on saturday no issues.
    the car is not registered yet

    does this mean that you drove an unregistered vehicle?

    • mskeggs on 03/06/2018 - 14:00
      +5

      The cops here have auto scanning cameras that detect and match number plates against the rego data base.
      The fine for unregistered and uninsured is about $1500.
      Very Lucky not to have been caught !

      • singlemalt72 on 03/06/2018 - 15:31
        +2

        You are allowed to drive an unregistered vehicle, but only in limited circumstances such as from the place of purchase to the licensing department (Vicroads, RMS etc) or a mechanic for blueslip etc.

        You can also get an unregistered vehicle permit.

        • whooah1979 on 03/06/2018 - 15:53
          +1

          op stated that they >

          got the car home we took it for a ride on saturday no issues.

          that doesn't sound like they were driving to vicroads or a workshop. op should clarify their post.

        • Scab on 04/06/2018 - 12:18
          +1

          @whooah1979:

          They might live in Vic Roads or a workshop.

    • Bahubali on 03/06/2018 - 17:14

      sorry i mean to say the car is not transfer yet on my friends name.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/06/2018 - 14:03
    +1

    That's bad luck car has a problem. But good thing you know a mechanic, maybe he can fix it for a good price.

    On a more serious note, I don't like your chances. Did he make any claims as to the condition of the engine? If not its as of you bought it as if. Best to talk to him and see he says

  • [Deactivated] on 03/06/2018 - 14:05
    +5

    Hence why I always say, unless you're mechanically minded, a test drive is worthless to the average person.

    Your sale is final and you have no options. You bought the car as is without service history. It is what it is.

  • myusername on 03/06/2018 - 14:06

    sounds like a lemon

  • [Deactivated] on 03/06/2018 - 14:16
    +2

    Mechanic has provided a roadworthy certificate

    Well that means absolutely nothing with regards to mechanical condition bar a bad leak

    • [Deactivated] on 03/06/2018 - 14:22
      +4

      Can never imagine you with a bad leak.

  • Randxyz123 on 03/06/2018 - 14:39
    +6

    Mechanic has provided a roadworthy certificate… There was no previous service history provided … We did ask but he said there is none he said the car was brought in auction so there is nothing.

    engine looks very clean and good.

    What did the independent mechanic who you got to inspect the car before you bought it say? Because you did do that right? You didn't trust a used car salesperson. Right? And buy a car with NO service history?

    Your "friend" is screwed

    • dcep on 03/06/2018 - 14:44
      +8

      the seller is a mechanic who buy junk cars for 200 bux and sell to gullible buyers for 2k thinking the car sold by mechanic must be well-maintained in mechanically good condition

      of course he wants the buyer to come back to him for repairs and shove the buyers arse with huge repair bills

  • subywagon on 03/06/2018 - 15:19
    +1

    Yeah, NEVER buy a car from a mechanic…

  • try2bhelpful on 03/06/2018 - 15:30
    +1

    Talk to the mechanic, he might fix it to avoid having an issue with you. Don't get aggressive just ask nicely.

    However, next time buy from a licensed 2nd hand dealer, they have statutory warranty obligations.

    • whooah1979 on 03/06/2018 - 15:55
      +4

      next time buy from a licensed 2nd hand dealer, they have statutory warranty obligations.

      op's friend purchased a 2002 model.
      https://www.qld.gov.au/law/your-rights/consumer-rights-compl…

      When they apply
      Statutory warranty covers you when the vehicle’s:
      odometer reading is less than 160,000km
      and
      date of manufacture is less than 10 years before the sale date.
      The warranty expires after 3 months or the first 5,000km.

    • Bahubali on 03/06/2018 - 17:16

      thanks mate sounds a good advice …

    • HighAndDry on 04/06/2018 - 10:37

      I'd take it to another mechanic. You don't want the seller to clear the warning without actually fixing the issue.

  • singlemalt72 on 03/06/2018 - 15:33
    +8

    First - everybody settle down.
    I would go back to the mechanic and get him to take a look - He should have an OBD2 scanner and can check the code. It may be as simple as a MAF sensor needing cleaning or a bad plug.

    Secondly - buyer beware. You have no recourse unless the mechanic is a licensed motor car trader and sold the car with a statutory warranty.

  • agam2104 on 03/06/2018 - 16:48
    -1

    You should check https://transact.ppsr.gov.au/ppsr/QuickVINSearch?si=4 before buying your car, please check and like your username, I don't think other guys know the meaning of it.

  • pjcook on 04/06/2018 - 08:05

    Take it back and ask the mechanic to check the error, the check engine light can be on for many reasons. Possibly a sensor, or a transient issue that once reset may not appear again.

  • Hithere on 04/06/2018 - 08:55
    +2

    Wave your 'friends' money goodbye.

    Always get an independent mechanic to check out a second hand vehicle before taking delivery of it if you know SFA about cars. RACV or equivalent in your state is a good place to start.

    The car is 16 years old, chances of it needing mega bucks spent on it are pretty high.

    A clean motor just means the mechanic spent 1/2 hr with degreaser and a gurney washing off all the dirt and oil leaks.

  • Ken1977 on 04/06/2018 - 09:20

    Take it to another road worthy mechanic, get him to do a road worthy inspection, if he finds a list of faults take it back to first road worth guy and demand he fix them or you will be going to vicroads or whoever in your state.

    • Quantumcat on 04/06/2018 - 10:13
      +1

      Roadworthy just means the lights work. Doesn't mean the car is mechanically sound.

  • Peck on 04/06/2018 - 09:24

    I am sorry to hear this story. A very expensive lesson. Maybe get a full inspection now. If you can prove that the car is not roadworthy, then that might give you some leverage over the certificate issuer. At least you will know exactly what is wrong with the car.

    • Quantumcat on 04/06/2018 - 10:15

      Roadworthy just means the lights work. Doesn't mean the car is mechanically sound. As the guy is not a registered second hand dealer in cars, there's no guarantee, what you see is what you get, same as buying a car off anybody in the street. There's no recourse if there's something wrong and you didn't check before you buy. There's no leverage to be had.

      • Peck on 04/06/2018 - 12:12

        Roadworthy are for safety issues too like Brakes, suspension, tyres, lights horn severe rust. But won’t cover a buggered engine

  • Micko179 on 04/06/2018 - 10:56

    Ring the Mechanic & inform him. Let him know about your concerns(you trusted him the car would be a cheap reliable car for your Uni Student friend) & ask him to have a quick look at it to see what the issue is. Then go from there, don't put the apple before the cart!

    • Bahubali on 04/06/2018 - 19:14

      thanks will do that

  • eggles01 on 04/06/2018 - 16:15
    -2

    CONTACT DEPT FAIR TRADING TO SEE IF THEY CAN DO ANYTHING OR MAYBE REFER YOU TO OTHER OPTIONS,,WAS IT A PRIVATE SALE OR BUSINESS CAR SALE,YOU MUST FIRST CONTACT THE MECHANIC TO SEE IF HE WILL HELP IN ANYWAY,

    • Bahubali on 04/06/2018 - 19:14

      yes did contact the machanic and he has aggred to do a have a look at it.

  • haimrevolution on 04/06/2018 - 17:03

    Seems warranty applies to me:

    http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/Consumers/Motor_vehicl…

  • saaanjay on 04/06/2018 - 20:10
    -1

    Engine light: is not the end of the world..!!
    As has been mentioned by some of the respondents, before, show it to the same mechanic/ alternate mechanic.
    Sometimes it can be triggered by simple air-filter clogging. A quick dusting of the element can fix the light..

  • saaanjay on 04/06/2018 - 20:12

    forgot to mention: reset of the air suction sensor, if your car has one..

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