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vendetta

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I bought a trailer for £3500 the seller original asking price £3800. I asked if she would consider the lower price, she said if she lowered the price she would contact me. She later messaged saying that she would sell for £3500 but no lower. We drove to her location just over an hour away. Loved the trailer, just what we were looking for, we connected it to my car, all work well. Paid the money and drove home. On the way our board computer flashed up a problem with the indicators so we thought it was out new tow bar. Took the car @trailer to our towbar man and he had a look at both vehicles, he opened the connector noticed it was completely corroded and the cable had been wrapped in masking tape covering up a ripped cable. The seller did say it hadn't had a service due to covid but had no issues 19 months ago at last service, and had been working with no issues on her car. Now we are £188 out of pocket for repairs. I bought a trailer that was sold as in perfect working order. She has offered £50 as a "goodwill" gesture. Do I have a leg to stand on I need advice.
 
Tiddlypom said:
If all you have to replace on a second hand trailer bought privately is the electrics cable then you’ve done well :).
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I agree. When buying anything second hand we never take the sellers word for it. We look at everything.

It’s not a big bill in the grand scheme of things, but now you obviously need to get it thoroughly serviced before you use it.
 
So it's cost you £138 to sort it. Not a lot really. I bought a trailer for similar money a few months ago, knowing full well that I was going to spend a bit of money getting it looked over to make sure it was in full working order, and above all, safe.

The seller told you it needed a service, I think she's been remarkably genuine to offer you fifty quid back.

Different if you'd bought from a dealer, but you didn't.
 
Yeah, really, that's not bad. If I bought a trailer in good shape otherwise, for that price, I would be ok with it. Friends trailer that I use had a similar issue due to age and OH was able to do the job and it was very inexpensive. Of course the cost goes up if you have to bring it somewhere.

You looked at the trailer in person, then bought it. It is used. If this is the only issue, just fix it and move along. It's nice that the buyer offered something, but I would not take it. There is a certain level of risk when buying anything used. It is not brand new.
 
Unfortunately we don't have much experience with buying second hand.. and they seem genuine.. wouldn't let us leave without waiting till the money in their bank cleared...If the price reflected the fact it needed work,then fine, I can then decide if I buy or not. But when they say it's fine and show us the previous service papers from 2019. As far as I'm concerned it's deceptive.
 
Rowreach said:
So it's cost you £138 to sort it. Not a lot really. I bought a trailer for similar money a few months ago, knowing full well that I was going to spend a bit of money getting it looked over to make sure it was in full working order, and above all, safe.

The seller told you it needed a service, I think she's been remarkably genuine to offer you fifty quid back.

Different if you'd bought from a dealer, but you didn't.
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She said it hadn't been serviced but has been running fine and they had no issues previously. I guess I'm just naive and thinking there are decent folk still roaming our planet!!
 
vendetta said:
Unfortunately we don't have much experience with buying second hand.. and they seem genuine.. wouldn't let us leave without waiting till the money in their bank cleared...If the price reflected the fact it needed work,then fine, I can then decide if I buy or not. But when they say it's fine and show us the previous service papers from 2019. As far as I'm concerned it's deceptive.
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Oh come off it, you got £350 off the asking price, and the seller probably didn't know the electrics were iffy.

Actually I don't know many trailer electrics that aren't.

2019 is at least 11 months ago! Really, if you're not going to suck it up, take it back and maybe she'll refund you.
 
vendetta said:
She said it hadn't been serviced but has been running fine and they had no issues previously. I guess I'm just naive and thinking there are decent folk still roaming our planet!!
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There are decent folk still roaming the planet. It sounds like you might have bought a trailer from one of them.
 
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vendetta said:
She said it hadn't been serviced but has been running fine and they had no issues previously. I guess I'm just naive and thinking there are decent folk still roaming our planet!!
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A vehicle can still run well, despite not having been serviced.

Again, when we buy second hand vehicles unless it has a recent service stamp of six months or less we get it serviced.

These are the chances you take when buying a second hand mechanical item. They are not new, and they invariably need something doing to them.
 
It all worked well when you connected it to your car so I'm not sure why you think they are deceiving you?

A used trailer is likely to have issues, they already said they hadn't serviced it this year. They had mended a cable with electrical tape (I doubt it was masking tape as this would not have stayed stuck) which is a common mend. The cables often get ripped when the trailer is hitched/unhitched.

I would be pretty pleased if this was the only fault on inspection.
 
My electrics failed on a trip. Worked when I left the yard. Didn’t when I got back. They do break without notice. I’d replaced the cable 18 months before. I keep a hitch cover over the cable, but it still corroded. Easy repair (and less than you paid). I Now view the trailer electrics as a perishable item.
If you haven’t had it checked, please get it serviced before travelling your horse in it. A lot changes in 18 months, so the seller may not be aware of other repairs that are needed.
 
My LH indicator stopped working this week - I don't yet know whether it's the trailer or the tow bar. This on a second hand trailer (£1300 earlier this year) which has been working perfectly for months. It happens; trailer electrics are notoriously fickle.

You sound like you don't buy second hand very often. I suggest you stick to new if you don't understand what 'sold as seen' means, as it's not fair on honest sellers to throw your risk back on them. You had your chance to check the electrics before you parted with your cash.
 
Agree with all of the above....the electric cable is a consumable component which will need replacing every so often.. the pvc cover will rot out and suffer uv sun damage and the wires will naturally chafe...
I have replaced our cable three times in the eight years we have owned our trailer..
Chillax and enjoy your trailer! I’d be well impressed with the seller giving me £50 back against those costs!
 
vendetta said:
Unfortunately we don't have much experience with buying second hand.. and they seem genuine.. wouldn't let us leave without waiting till the money in their bank cleared...If the price reflected the fact it needed work,then fine, I can then decide if I buy or not. But when they say it's fine and show us the previous service papers from 2019. As far as I'm concerned it's deceptive.[/QUOTE

Very apt user name
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I wouldnt have even approached the seller about it. This is totally expected when buying secondhand. You now need to get a full service, floor checked and get the electrics sorted. I never use a new trailer or lorry till I've has it checked over and repairs carrier out, and certainly don't expect the seller to foot the bill.
 
You should have had it inspected before buying it if you were going to be unhappy if you found an issue. Your average seller who says it is serviced a year ago, has run fine since - is being honest. doesn't mean in the bits you can't see that there wont be issues. She may be dishonest or you may just have had bad luck
 
brighteyes said:
The connectors break for fun! They are a tenner from Halfords and you can wire one up yourself off a diagram! Seriously!
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Lost count of the number of times I have done this on mine and friends trailers. It is really easy. Would never dream of taking it somewhere and paying all that money.
 
To be fair, after lockdown I would have had my own trailer inspected inside and out, by myself or someone more competent if I couldn't, before I used it, especially the tyres. The weight of the trailer has likely been on the same spot all summer so the tyres may have cracked. same with the floor and any trapped damp.
 
I’ve just checked and I got my cable replaced with a 13 pin (it was previously a 7 plus another for hook up) and it was £20 including labour.
I hope that the OP cost included a full service ...
 
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