Advice - WeBuyCars damaged the car during a test drive

[NotoriousToG]

Hi all, sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I need some assistance/advise.

Today my mother-in-law had a meeting with a WeBuyCars evaluator for her car.

The cars been giving her issues over the years but overall it runs. She drove the car to meet the person in the neighbouring town. The evaluator then requested to test drive the car which she accepted but informed him that there are issues and NOT to push the car too much due to the issues. The guy disappeared for close to 30 minutes with the car and when he returned, the car came back sounding like a tractor and the engine had blown (specifically what happened, I don't know as I was not there, this is what i was told), and the guy said they can't buy the car in the condition. The car wouldn't start after he had driven it and currently it has been left in a parking lot until she can get it towed or something.

Is there anything she can do to claim through them? What would the best process be? Does she have a leg to stand on as there is no evidence except for having the meeting?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Aced Bogey]

you admit it's fucked then he drives it and you expect to claim cos it finally broke?

lol

no bra....

 

[NotoriousToG]

you admit it's fucked then he drives it and you expect to claim cos it finally broke?

lol

no bra....

Told him not to push it or it WILL break and he came back with it broken. So a bit different. The cars been working for years but cannot go over a speed limit or it will overheat. This was ALL communicated before hand so not new knowledge. That's why it was specifically being sold to them and not your uncles cousin.

The point is not to make a quick buck on a stuffed car. If you ask someone to go easy and they take your car for a LONG time and then return it in a kak condition, is there nothing you can do? If not, that's fine. I'm just trying to see.

 

[Shas'o Kais]

Told him not to push it or it WILL break and he came back with it broken. So a bit different. The cars been working for years but cannot go over a speed limit or it will overheat. This was ALL communicated before hand so not new knowledge. That's why it was specifically being sold to them and not your uncles cousin.

The point is not to make a quick buck on a stuffed car. If you ask someone to go easy and they take your car for a LONG time and then return it in a kak condition, is there nothing you can do? If not, that's fine. I'm just trying to see.

Hi all, sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I need some assistance/advise.

Today my mother-in-law had a meeting with a WeBuyCars evaluator for her car.

The cars been giving her issues over the years but overall it runs. She drove the car to meet the person in the neighbouring town. The evaluator then requested to test drive the car which she accepted but informed him that there are issues and NOT to push the car too much due to the issues. The guy disappeared for close to 30 minutes with the car and when he returned, the car came back sounding like a tractor and the engine had blown (specifically what happened, I don't know as I was not there, this is what i was told), and the guy said they can't buy the car in the condition. The car wouldn't start after he had driven it and currently it has been left in a parking lot until she can get it towed or something.

Is there anything she can do to claim through them? What would the best process be? Does she have a leg to stand on as there is no evidence except for having the meeting?

Thanks for the help!

This happened to friend of mine aswell. Am not sure if its stated in their policy. But they have to push every vehicle they try buy.

 

[eyesuc]

How WeBuyCars works – From start to finish

We visited WeBuyCars to see what your car goes through when selling it to them.

topauto.co.za

The valuation process starts with a WBC buyer taking a short test drive, where they assess the gearbox, throttle response, handling, suspension, and the general ride – and to check if any engine warning lights come on.

I'm assuming the engine warning lights were also broken?

I'm no expert, but I would assume they would be liable if they buy a car and it conks out. Would any stealership out there have purchased the vehicle in the condition it was in prior to WBC going to the moon and back?

 

[AinsleyHarriott]

Describe 'pushing it'

In my opinion this is no fault of WeBuyCars. If the evaluator drove it within the manufacturer's limits and it broke, it's on you.

You can't make up arbitrary rules for how a car should be driven and try to wipe your junker off onto other people.

Edit: also good luck fighting this with insurance as you just publicly admitted knowing there is fault with the car.

Edit 2: adding to my 'do not deal' list.

 

[CyNicole]

They most likely have some notice of indemnity posted on site / on their website / included in any documentation provided. The only way you'd be able to claim from them in this case is if you can prove that the evaluator was negligent when testing the car. Saying that the car has been fine for years with the issues is not sufficient evidence, unfortunately.

 

[TheJudge]

So the obvious points:
1. You don't know if he pushed it
2. 30 minute isn't that long
3. the car had issues already

 

[NotoriousToG]

Describe 'pushing it'

In my opinion this is no fault of WeBuyCars. If the evaluator drove it within the manufacturer's limits and it broke, it's on you.

You can't make up arbitrary rules for how a car should be driven and try to wipe your junker off onto other people.

Edit: also good luck fighting this with insurance as you just publicly admitted knowing there is fault with the car.

Edit 2: adding to my 'do not deal' list.

Dude, you're so salty. Lots of people deal with damaged goods. Otherwise everyone would be buying new. Firstly, this is not MY car. I'm asking about process. Secondly, this was COMMUNICATED before hand.

I understand this can be a debatable thing for this car, but in general, what is the process? What if my car was in perfect condition as far as I know, they test drive it and then it breaks. Is it just my problem then?

If the result is that you can't, that's fine. I'm just asking a question.

 

[Pickled_Dick]

Car is busted,
knows car is busted,
knows car might bust at any point,
upset when car busts.

 

[NI∀ƆOƆ‾⊥ᴚ∩ʞ]

The car wouldn't start after he had driven it and currently it has been left in a parking lot until she can get it towed or something.

Well it has to be pushed now.

 

[Nate B.]

Sorry dude, but you will have to take an L on this one.
If I buy a car, one of the first things I do is push the car a bit to ensure its not already broken.
Webuycars may be scummy, but you cant expect them to sell a lemon. What if the next person drives the car hard and it breaks? Whos liable to sort that out?

 

[TheJudge]

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[Nyt Ryda]

Told him not to push it or it WILL break and he came back with it broken. So a bit different. The cars been working for years but cannot go over a speed limit or it will overheat.

What speed we talking? These guys almost always hop onto the highway for a test drive.

Also, is it French, a Fiat or a Ford?

 

[TheJudge]

What speed we talking? These guys almost always hop onto the highway for a test drive.

Also, is it French, a Fiat or a Ford?

Its the other 'F', its Fucked.

Seriously though the only way to have any kind of potential recourse is to have the vehicle assessed to see what made it go boom, whether it was a boom that could have been prevented during the test drive and whether there were obvious signs of the boom beforehand.

 

[NotoriousToG]

Sorry dude, but you will have to take an L on this one.
If I buy a car, one of the first things I do is push the car a bit to ensure its not already broken.
Webuycars may be scummy, but you cant expect them to sell a lemon. What if the next person drives the car hard and it breaks? Whos liable to sort that out?

Yeah, makes sense. Again, not my car, so regarding the details I don't know. But yeah, presumed just an L on this as well but thought I'd ask.

What speed we talking? These guys almost always hop onto the highway for a test drive.

Also, is it French, a Fiat or a Ford?

He apparently said he didnt go over 140km/h so probs highway.

VW Polo

 

[TheJudge]

Yeah, makes sense. Again, not my car, so regarding the details I don't know. But yeah, presumed just an L on this as well but thought I'd ask.


He apparently said he didnt go over 140km/h so probs highway.

VW Polo

If its an older Polo the engine shouldn't be too much to replace, alternatively the vehicle itself (minus engine) might still be worth saving (to the person or a potential buyer).

 

[NotoriousToG]

If its an older Polo the engine shouldn't be too much to replace, alternatively the vehicle itself (minus engine) might still be worth saving (to the person or a potential buyer).

Yeah, will probably look at selling to a mechanic willing to fix it up or use it for parts.
I'm not in the area so I wouldn't be able to help her do anything more than that really.

 

[adamr]

Well the car was already "on the edge" of failure ... and at any point disaster would have happened. How sure are you that the car would not break driving it "carefully"? no one can. Once it is on the edge of catastrophic failure it can break anytime

also what is your ideal outcome? that the car be fixed to better than it was ? becasue no one is going to fix it to the level of "on the edge of being broken". It is either fixed or not. I honestly dont think you have a case here

edit: as much as i loathe WE buy cars, they defintely would not be driving the car like they on an F1 circuit.

 

[Switch]

Dude, you're so salty. Lots of people deal with damaged goods. Otherwise everyone would be buying new. Firstly, this is not MY car. I'm asking about process. Secondly, this was COMMUNICATED before hand.

I understand this can be a debatable thing for this car, but in general, what is the process? What if my car was in perfect condition as far as I know, they test drive it and then it breaks. Is it just my problem then?

If the result is that you can't, that's fine. I'm just asking a question.

The process is you inform insurance, who then may or may not lodge claims against webuycars depending on if they reject your claim based on if they have a strict requirement for the authorized/designated/regular driver, amongst other checks like if the car being already in a damaged state.

Don't expect a positive outcome.

 

[Oj0]

"Don't push it too much" is far too subjective. What's too much? More than 50% throttle regardless of RPM? More than 5KRPM regardless of throttle? Not over 110KM/H? Aggressive turning and/or stopping? Dumping the clutch above 4KRPM?

My wife and I have very different driving style, both of which could at times be considered "too hard" for some people, both of which could be considered gentle for others. Her "gentle" driving is 75-100% throttle and changing gears at 3-3.5KRPM, my "amusing myself" is starting at like 10% throttle and giving it closer and closer to 100% as the revs approach and dip into the red line in 2nd gear.

Either of the above could be passed by someone on a bicycle, so I'd argue neither is "pushing" the car, although neither is a "good" way of driving.

It's like telling someone "don't sleep too long" - some people are perfectly functional on 4 hours of sleep per night, others are so moody they need a PK after "only" getting 8 hours.

 

[StangV2_0]

didnt go over 140km/h

in 2nd?? or 3rd? How do you know this speed wasn't exceeded?

if they have a strict requirement for the authorized/designated/regular driver.

Anyone that drives the vehicle with your permission is authorized provided they are legally allowed to drive said vehicle.

If the claim is rejected it will be because of existing damage on the vehicle or abuse of the vehicle. Not because of whether or not it was a regular driver.

 

[TheJudge]

"Don't push it too much" is far too subjective. What's too much? More than 50% throttle regardless of RPM? More than 5KRPM regardless of throttle? Not over 110KM/H? Aggressive turning and/or stopping? Dumping the clutch above 4KRPM?

My wife and I have very different driving style, both of which could at times be considered "too hard" for some people, both of which could be considered gentle for others. Her "gentle" driving is 75-100% throttle and changing gears at 3-3.5KRPM, my "amusing myself" is starting at like 10% throttle and giving it closer and closer to 100% as the revs approach and dip into the red line in 2nd gear.

Either of the above could be passed by someone on a bicycle, so I'd argue neither is "pushing" the car, although neither is a "good" way of driving.

It's like telling someone "don't sleep too long" - some people are perfectly functional on 4 hours of sleep per night, others are so moody they need a PK after "only" getting 8 hours.

My wife's driving style arrived in an envelope from the City of Cape Town this morning.

 

[el_guapo3291]

edit: as much as i loathe WE buy cars, they defintely would not be driving the car like they on an F1 circuit.

I don't know, I saw another post think maybe on Facebook where a guy also got his car back with a blown head gasket and said his tracker shows WBC rep took it up to just under 200 kph... Seems to be a pattern emerging.

 

[adamr]

I don't know, I saw another post think maybe on Facebook where a guy also got his car back with a blown head gasket and said his tracker shows WBC rep took up to just under 200 kph... Seems to be a pattern emerging.

Well why are people not with the we buy cars person when they driving it. Has not been my experience with them … difficult to lay the blame if you not with them in the car

 

[el_guapo3291]

Well why are people not with the we buy cars person when they driving it. Has not been my experience with them … difficult to lay the blame if you not with them in the car

Indeed, I personally would never allow it, but apparently they get told that they cannot be in the vehicle for the test...

 

[StangV2_0]

By admitting to the vehicle having an issue before the test drive took place, you may be in for a battle.

What type of issue did it have? If the issue the vehicle was experiencing ties in with the current failure, then you may not be able to make any claim against them. For example, if the vehicle was prone to overheating, and it over heated on the test drive, then how can you expect WBC to be liable? Yes, it happened with them during a test drive. But the problem was there before the test drive.

If, however, the vehicle had a different issue like a CV joint needing to be replaced, and the vehicle was returned with a blown head gasket and stuffed clutch, which were not a problem before test drive, then you have a pretty good leg to stand on.

My advice would be to challenge them on it regardless since you don't know what was done on the test drive and were not present on the test drive.

Unfortunately proving them liable may be a difficult and drawn-out argument. One which may cost a lot of time and a lot of money.

 

[Trompie67]

Indeed, I personally would never allow it, but apparently they get told that they cannot be in the vehicle for the test...

Fuck that. Anyone wants to test drive any vehicle I am selling I am in the vehicle with them. Finish & Klaar. They don't like that, they can fuck right off back to where they came from.

Bikes - you come on your bike, I follow you on it whilst you test ride mine. Ride like a cnut & I'll do the same to your bike.

No issue with "pushing" a vehicle/bike (WTAF is the definitive meaning of that anyway?), but do not treat it like a cnut.

 

[StangV2_0]

Fuck that. Anyone wants to test drive any vehicle I am selling I am in the vehicle with them. Finish & Klaar. They don't like that, they can fuck right off back to where they came from.

Bikes - you come on your bike, I follow you on it whilst you test ride mine. Ride like a cnut & I'll do the same to your bike.

No issue with "pushing" a vehicle/bike (WTAF is the definitive meaning of that anyway?), but do not treat it like a cnut.

Agreed. A person doesn't need to nail a vehicle to check how well it goes. This can be assessed at speeds below 140km/h. A vehicle that is smooth and drives well at these speeds is more than likely to do the same at higher speeds.

 

[Crouchinglee]

"Don't push it too much" is far too subjective. What's too much? More than 50% throttle regardless of RPM? More than 5KRPM regardless of throttle? Not over 110KM/H? Aggressive turning and/or stopping? Dumping the clutch above 4KRPM?

My wife and I have very different driving style, both of which could at times be considered "too hard" for some people, both of which could be considered gentle for others. Her "gentle" driving is 75-100% throttle and changing gears at 3-3.5KRPM, my "amusing myself" is starting at like 10% throttle and giving it closer and closer to 100% as the revs approach and dip into the red line in 2nd gear.

Either of the above could be passed by someone on a bicycle, so I'd argue neither is "pushing" the car, although neither is a "good" way of driving.

It's like telling someone "don't sleep too long" - some people are perfectly functional on 4 hours of sleep per night, others are so moody they need a PK after "only" getting 8 hours.