Hi guys - hope you're all well.
I bought a Ford Focus 55 plate, 1.6 petrol for £800 last thursday. That night he drove it back to my house for me and I gave him a lift back in my van as I didn't have insurance.
When I test drove it everything seemed fine, to be fair the car did actually seem to drive well. However he did mention when cold theres a tapping noise and he told me 100% this is coming from the engine tappets. But he also said, when you have time to put some specific oil in it etc and it might fix it. He told me that this was the only issue with the car.
Anyhow, I had to wait a few days when sorting insurance out and drove it from Leeds to Worcester yesterday (this was my first journey in it). After I think about 20 minutes I started to feel feedback in the throttle pedal (if I remember correctly), and then the clutch started shuddering when releasing. It kind of makes 2 shudders near the end of the release motion (this is through every gear).
When I drove it yesterday when the brake was held down when stopped (applying a fair bit of pressure) that would also vibrate and shudder.
I then later that night parked the car and came back to it 10 minutes later and when trying to start it, it turned on then straight away turned off again. It stayed on when I revved it up as soon as it ignited.
Today when I've been out in the car the clutch is still shuddering but the other issues don't seem to be apparent.
The place I bought it from is a business apparently. He told me that the only issue with the car is the tappets. Because of that he couldn't offer me a warranty. I said fine and took the car anyway because everything else seemed fine and it does have quite a few modifications which I like.
I've since texted the guy and he said that it's none of his concern and keeps repeating the fact that it wasn't sold with a warranty. I keep responding saying that I'm aware of that however it also wasn't sold as spares and repairs. Got in to a bit of an argument with this guy, he's not apologised once (guess that would be admitting fault but still). Just denied everything, he even told me that the clutch is like this because of my style of driving, which I really didn't respond well to. I'm writing this so I don't blow up and send something I don't want to, to him.
I'm wondering where I stand in terms of legal action and also if anyone could shed some light on the above issues that would be great.
This is my 8th car in a year and a half - i'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, if anyone has some tips for me in terms of car buying then that would also be appreciated. Thanks.