Owed money. Solicitor options?

[DanS14]

I sold my previous car to a so-called friend. He gave me a deposit and promised the balance after 1 month. I needed the car off my driveway (for the 200) so agreed to this. Since then I only received a third of what is owed. He was in financial difficulty and as a fiend I let it slip for quite a while.

However his actions lead me to believe he doesn't intend to pay me the remaning £400. He has promised on so many occasions that the money would reach my account by certain dates. I have on several occasions trusted this only to find myself in difficulty with my own bank and hence being fined for being over my overdraft limit or late on my credit card payments. These fines which would have been avoided if I'd received the money as promised have probably amounted to almost half what he still owes.

I'm pissed off. He offered to pay some interest on what he owes me, last time I spoke with him, however nothing is written on paper, not even the original sale. However his housemates - my friends - all know he owes me/how much/for how long etc, and are just as dissapointed in his behaviour.
I sold the car to him in good faith at a lower price than I could have got for it elsewhere - to do him a favour and now it has cost me.

What can I do? Small claims court? Solicitor's letter? What should happen next? Please help

[Cath]

Seek solicitor’s advice - and then i think the next option would be the small debts court.

As Evidence of the sale you can contact the DVLA - registered owners - change of ownership as proof of purchase if you don't have a receipt etc

[DanS14]

DVLA - good idea.

Do you know how quickly small claims court actions can be or is it likely to be a long wait before anything actually happens?

Wonder how much a solicitor's letter would cost..

[Braintree]

VERY grey area to be honest. . .

It's all well and good proving the change of ownership, but that settles nothing!! He could turn round and say you owed him £1000 so gave him your car to cover the debt.

You would have to take statements from mutual friends etc as testament that the sale was as you say it was!!!

[Cath]

Ring ya closet one and enquire about the letters and process etc.

I thought the courts had about 3 month turn round on claims ? Due to it being there to process things quickly etc. Don't quote me on that!

Best ringing ur solicitor as he will have full knowledge of all processes!

[DanS14]

Right will get in contact with the family's solicitor shortly. Not sure who they are yet!
I'm just so angry. I really needed the money ages ago when I did not get my student loan for my final year. Now I've got to pay for my car repairs! Fed up with the liberties he's taken ever since I helped him out.

If he admits to not intending to pay - does that make him a thief in the eyes of the law?

[Cath]

Being a scouser thats something i would never admit too.

If the guy is slightly intelligent then he won't either.


Never admit to blame! - didn't ur insurance company ever tell u that
:)

[GIBB0]

Have you still got the spare Key. Could save you a small fortune in solicitors fee's:rolleyes:

[Tricky-Ricky]

Originally posted by GIBB0
Have you still got the spare Key. Could save you a small fortune in solicitors fee's:rolleyes:

Yep! i allways have a spare key if i sell a car! just in case!;)