This is just a short intro into what may become something of an online diary of the problems I have had with this seller.

A bit of background, I bought a mercedes 320cdi estate 'V' reg from the seller CLCARS, that is their ebay name, their business is called 'SmartAlfa' or 'AutoLusso' or 'Beacon Automotive Ltd'.

The car was described fully and their feedback was good so I trusted it and bid for and won the car unseen.

When I went to collect the car a few minor problems (broken foglight, rust on a door, etc) were noted and a minor financial reduction was made in the price to compensate.

As the car has a full service history, according to the listing, and the computer in the car said it was due a 'B' Service I took it straight to a Merc Dealer for the service, and about 1 hour later I got a call from them asking me when I had crashed the car!!!!!!!

They detailed that the car has a damage to the front chassis cross-member, the radiator cross-memeber, the engine cradle, the sump had been repaired with epoxy resin, and the engine guards/undertrays are missing!!!! There were other faults with the car such as airbag lights etc, but none of these are obviously as serious as the accident damage.

Merceds told me in their opinion the car was unsafe and a fully geometry check was required before they would say it was safe to be driven!!!

I immediately contacted the selling dealer CLCARS, and they said the car was sold as seen, and if I wasn't happy 'tough' and they suggested I put the car back on ebay to sell on!!!!!

The Mercedes dealer told me to contact Trading Standards, I have done this and they are now investigating, and as such I now have a Mercedes Estate on my drive as some sort of garden ornament as I cannot drive it as the car is awaiting an inspection by Trading Standards as well as being deemed unsafe by the Mercedes Dealer!!!

I have checked my legal rights and written many emails to the seller CLCARS advising them of theirs, I have offered 2 solutions, but all of this has been thrown back into my face.

They seem to think that selling on ebay negates their legal rights as a dealer selling cars!!!

And finally to cap it all off the car was actually owned by them for 4 years, so saying they did not know about the damage is a bit of a lie, and they also sold it to me while they had outstanding credit on the car with GE Capital, they have now settled this credit though.

All in all a cautionary tale for anyone looking to by a car from CLCARS.

I will keep this tale updated and if you want anymore information drop me a line and I will get back to you.

UPDATE 30-10-2006

I have been doing a bit more research and found that this dealer has a bit of a history in making promises they either don't keep or in being more that a bit economical with the truth!!!

Anyone who is looking to buy a car from them might want to do a google search on 'Ned Kirkham' or 'Smartalfa' and see some of the other stories people have about his/ this companies dealings.

They also refused to divulge the names and addresses of the Companies Director's, a bit silly as a quick call to Companies House got me them in 5 mins!!! So letters are now on their way to their home addresses informing them of the proceedings, incase they are not aware. If any party has other issues and wants these addresses drop me a line.

Anyway the matter is proceeding a bit too slowly for my liking, but I  suppose I have to let Trading Standards go through it their way. The Credit Card company appear to be taking it even more slowly, but then again I suppose they would, as they have dual liability under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, so stand to loose a great deal of money.

UPDATE 31-10-2006

Got an email from Ned Kirkham today, he still won't talk to me on the phone, I can't understand why?

He has just offered to refund me the price I paid for the car, but not for any expenses I have incured, as long as I bring the car back to SmartAlfa and delete this guide, retract my feedback and withdraw my statements that I have made on various Alfa Romeo Forums and also presumably stop my legal action and withdraw my complaints with the CC co and Trading Standards.

Obviously I must be starting to make a bit of an impact in my attempt to inform all potential buyers on ebay and other media of the problems they may have if they choose to deal with this company

Needless to say I declined Ned's kind offer, and suggested he reconsiders an offer that will also compensate me for the costs I have already incured, such as the Mercedes bill, and the cost in returning the car to their premises, or that he pays a reasonable amount to allow me to bring the car up to a safe and road-worthy condition, I have offered to send him the estimate from the Mercedes Dealer.

I have had lots of emails from people offering support and detailing their own problems, also further reserach has shown that this company has existed in varous formats before and gone into liquidation taking people's deposit with them!!!!!

I have no doubt there are some people out there who have bought cars, new and second-hand, and had no problems, but this is meant as a diary of my problems, and my attempts to resolve them, not as a forum for slander or mis-information from others.

UPDATE 01-11-2006

Just got of the phone after 45 mins with Buckinghamshire Trading Standards, I won't name the officer handling the case here, but if anyone wants to have his details to lodge a complaint of their own then email me and I will ask his permission to release his details to you.

Anyway he now has in his possesion all the email correspondence to date, and copies of the invoice from Mercedes and their report are being sent snail mail.

We have agreed he will review them and we will talk again on the 6th Nov 2006 to discuss what actions are possible, be them criminal or civil, and also whether they are against the business or Ned or both.

I will advise then, and thanks for the messages of support from those who have sent them.

UPDATE 03-11-2006

Rather than go through what has happened since my last update I thought it is probably explained by me listing here the email I have sent this morning to Beacon Automotive Ltd trading as Autolusso. I have hidden the 3rd party names as I do not have their authourity to release them

Watch this space for the next update!!!!!!

THEY WILL NOT GET AWAY WITH THIS!!!!!