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About 4 or 5 months ago I brought a 1991 Toyota Cynos as my first car (I'm only 17years old).

It was a private sale and I have just gone to get a new Warrant of Fitness and have been told the car has been in a major crash and underneath where the steel is, they have used filler to try and fix it.

The side of the car where the door shuts is curved in and the door needs to be slammed when closing. The front drivers door isn't the original door either.

The WoF inspector said the car is very dangerous because the structure is basically shot.

I don't know what to do as the car isn't safe and its probably not worth anything?

Toni

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 4 December 2009

When you purchased the car did you buy it in a 'as-is where-is' condition with a current warrant only and sign papers to that effect?

If so, then it's hard luck and there is nothing you can do.

If the car was sold with a WoF not more than 1 month old, then you may have some comeback on the garage that issued the warrant prior to sale if the car is deemed unsafe.

If this is the case, then you should ring the WoF 0800 help line and lodge a complaint.

That number is 0800 699 000.

Possibly a hard lesson to be learnt here.

In future, assume nothing when buying a car privately and get it checked out thoroughly before committing to purchase.

And always demand a new WoF (no more than one month old) is procured as part of the buying agreement.