Buying a sports car is often the culmination of a long-held dream. The sleek lines, the powerful engine, the thrill of the open road – it’s an intoxicating mix. However, the path to sports car ownership isn’t always smooth, especially when dealing with used vehicles and dealerships that don’t live up to their promises. This is a lesson I learned the hard way when purchasing what I hoped would be my dream car from Dorset Jaguar & Sports Cars back in July 2012.
Like many eager buyers, I was drawn to a BMW 335d advertised by Dorset Jaguar & Sports Cars. The listing price was firm, the salesman, Jason, assured me, because the car was in “immaculate condition.” Perhaps I was too trusting, blinded by the prospect of finally owning this particular model. Despite a brief attempt to haggle, I relented, paid the deposit, and arranged to collect my new car the following week. Collection day, Friday, July 20th, was filled with excitement. Little did I know, this excitement would soon turn to frustration and a lengthy dispute.
Just days after driving my “immaculate” sports car home from work, the tyre pressure monitor flashed a warning: flat tyre. Annoyed but not overly concerned, I took the car to a local tyre garage the next morning. The diagnosis wasn’t a simple puncture. The tyre fitter pointed out a far more serious issue – the alloy wheel was not just damaged, it was cracked in multiple places and visibly repaired with welds! This wasn’t just a minor imperfection; it was a significant safety concern and a blatant misrepresentation of the car’s condition.
Immediately, I contacted Dorset Sports Cars, speaking again with Jason, the salesman. To his credit, his initial reaction was helpful. He requested photos of the damaged wheel via email, stating he would source a replacement. His follow-up email confirmed this, stating, “I am sourcing a wheel for you.” Relieved that the issue seemed to be resolving quickly, I continued my day. However, when I chased up the progress later, the tone shifted dramatically.
Jason informed me that his boss, Paul Wynter, refused to authorise a replacement. The excuse? I must have damaged the wheel myself by hitting a pothole after purchasing the car. Despite my protests and request to speak directly with Mr. Wynter, I was told he was unavailable (conveniently, it seemed, only unavailable to speak to me, but perfectly available to instruct his sales manager to deny responsibility). I argued that this was unacceptable and that under the Sale of Goods Act, they had a legal obligation to rectify the situation.
Dorset Sports Cars then made another astonishing proposition: they wanted me to return the cracked and repeatedly welded wheel for repair! The idea of driving on a repaired, previously cracked alloy wheel, especially on a performance vehicle, was simply not acceptable. I refused point-blank and insisted on a replacement, highlighting the inconvenience this entire situation was causing, particularly as a self-employed individual reliant on my car for work. They remained steadfast in their refusal.
Faced with their intransigence, I contacted VOSA (now the DVSA), the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency. They were indeed interested, especially given the car had passed its MOT the day before I collected it from Dorset Sports Cars. VOSA re-inspected the vehicle and, while finding no other faults, shared concerns about the cracked wheel. Even with VOSA’s implied concern, Dorset Sports Cars still refused to replace the wheel.
My only recourse was to file a claim against them through the small claims court. Predictably, they defended the claim with flimsy arguments about potholes and driver negligence. Their strategy seemed to be delay and obstruction at every turn. They failed to respond to my initial Letter Before Action within the given timeframe and, despite agreeing to mediation, they never contacted the court mediation service to schedule a session, further prolonging the process.
The trial date finally arrived. Dorset Sports Cars were supposed to provide their evidence beforehand, which they failed to do. Fortunately, I had proof that my evidence had been sent and received. To my surprise, they actually appeared in court. The judge, after reviewing the evidence, ruled in my favour. Mr. Wynter complained that my evidence wasn’t “conclusive,” but the judge rightly pointed out that it only needed to be more likely than not, which it was. Dorset Sports Cars were issued a County Court Judgment (CCJ) for approximately £1100, payable within 14 days. They requested permission to appeal, which was denied. True to form, they failed to pay on time. Only when I initiated enforcement proceedings did a cheque for the full amount finally materialise.
While I ultimately secured justice, the entire experience with Dorset Jaguar & Sports Cars was stressful, time-consuming, and completely avoidable. It underscores the critical importance of thorough pre-purchase inspections and reading sports car reviews and dealership reviews before committing to a purchase. My experience serves as a stark reminder that “immaculate condition” claims from dealerships should always be verified independently. Don’t rely solely on the seller’s word, especially when investing in a sports car. Learn from my ordeal: do your homework, read reviews, and be prepared to stand up for your rights if things go wrong. A dream car should not turn into a legal nightmare.
