Mr James Carter, a private purchaser in London, bought a car from a Birmingham garage for £12,000 in cash. The seller assured him the vehicle was in pristine condition, with no prior repairs or damage, and advertised it as excellent with no defects noted on the underside. This was a misrepresentation and breach of contract claim under UK contract law.
What Happened
Relying on the assurances, Mr Carter completed the purchase in good faith. It was only after taking delivery that undisclosed damage became apparent, with evidence of poor repairs and filler concealing defects beneath the chassis.
A professional inspection later confirmed the defects and that they had not been disclosed by the seller.
Legal Issues
- The garage made false representations about the vehicle’s condition, intending to induce the purchase (misrepresentation under contract law).
- The contract of sale breached due to undisclosed defects contrary to the Sale of Goods Act 1979 and related consumer rights under UK law.
- The claimant seeks damages representing repair costs and loss of value, plus any interest or costs of proceedings.
Our Approach
Aldwych Legal issued a precise pre-action letter and engaged in constructive correspondence under the CPR and relevant Pre-Action Protocols for consumer disputes. We instructed a mechanical expert to assess the car, gathered documentary evidence, and prepared a robust chronology of misrepresentations. Negotiations followed, with a view to settlement without court proceedings.
Outcome
The car garage admitted misrepresentation and breach of contract. The client was compensated £13,700, equating to the purchase price and repair-related losses. Interest at 3% per annum, compounded annually, has brought the total to £13,973.29 as of the current date.
Result / Why It Matters
This result demonstrates Aldwych Legal’s capability in misrepresentation and contract disputes, delivering practical, commercial solutions for clients and reinforcing trust in private vehicle transactions across London and the Home Counties.
