# SECOND-HAND CAR COMPLAINT LETTER
Date: 10 September 2031
Parties: Thomas Reed and Westmoor Motors Ltd
## 1. Purpose and parties
Thomas Reed of 8 Chapel Lane, York, bought a used 2021 Ford Focus Titanium, registration YK21 LZR, from Westmoor Motors Ltd for £8,950 on 22 August 2031. The dealer recorded 68,214 miles, described the car as recently serviced and supplied sales invoice WM-9031. Thomas paid £1,500 by credit card and the balance by bank transfer; this is a trader-to-consumer sale to which the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies.
## 2. Facts, scope and terms
On 2 September, after 341 miles of ordinary driving, the engine began misfiring under acceleration and the oil warning light appeared. On 4 September an independent mechanic, Priya Shah of York Auto Check, found an oil leak at the sump gasket, front brake discs measuring 20.5 mm against the Ford/manufacturer minimum of 22 mm and diagnostic code P0302 for a cylinder misfire. Her report dated 5 September estimates £2,460 for immediate repairs and says the corrosion and oil residue indicate the faults pre-dated the sale.
## 3. Process and responsibilities
The vehicle is unsafe for normal use: the misfire causes loss of power, the oil leak can damage the engine and the brake discs require replacement. Thomas stopped driving it after 5 September except to move it 40 metres onto his drive. The MOT history supplied by Westmoor did not disclose the present faults, and the phrase recently serviced was material to Thomas's decision to buy. No warning of these defects was given before purchase.
## 4. Evidence, records and safeguards
Thomas reported the faults by email at 08:35 on 6 September under reference WM-9114 and telephoned sales manager Claire Morgan the same day. Westmoor offered to inspect the vehicle at its depot but did not offer transport or confirm that it would pay for recovery. Thomas encloses the invoice, advertisement saved on 22 August, V5C copy, MOT history, photographs, the mechanic's report and recovery receipt for £185.
## 5. Review, escalation and outcome
As the faults appeared within 30 days of delivery and existed at sale, Thomas exercises the short-term right to reject under section 20 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and requests repayment of £8,950. He asks Westmoor to refund the £185 reasonable recovery cost and collect the car from 8 Chapel Lane on 17 September between 10:00 and 12:00. Thomas will provide the keys and documents on collection but will not authorise a repair without a separate written agreement.
## 6. Reservations and practical protections
Westmoor must acknowledge this complaint by 17 September 2031 and pay the refund within 14 days after receiving the vehicle. If it alleges the faults arose after sale, it should provide evidence addressing the statutory presumption and the mechanic's findings rather than relying on a general statement that the car passed an MOT. Thomas reserves a section 75 claim against his card issuer for the £1,500 deposit, a Trading Standards report and reasonable court or expert costs if the matter is not resolved.
## 7. England and Wales law and completion
This completed fictional letter is dated 10 September 2031 and governed by the law of England and Wales. It preserves Thomas's rights under sections 9, 11, 20, 23 and 24 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and the Limitation Act 1980. Collection is offered to mitigate loss and is not acceptance of a free repair, a deduction for use or any waiver of misrepresentation and satisfactory-quality claims.