Car purchase issue and no response from the seller
Good afternoon everyone, I appreciate any participation in this post and any advice would be helpful in my current situation. (England).
On the 14th of May I purchase a used car through an auto trader seller. They are a registered company and class themselves as a ‘dealership’ but operate from their own home. The car is 13 years old but deemed to be in great condition. It had an MOT at the beginning of May and came back with no faults or advisories. HPI and visual checks were completed as well as a test drive. All seemed well so I went through with the purchase.
3 days later on the 17th, I was driving the car when the engine management light came on. My partner works for a dealership so was able to get it into the workshop the following day for a diagnosis. Huge mechanical issues were found underneath the car. ‘Catalyst system efficiency’ was the reason for the EML light and holes were blown in the catalytic converter, poor patch and paint jobs to cover rust and holes, heavy corrosion on the inside break discs and seized pads, heavy corrosion and blistering on the front shock absorbers, corroded break pipes with a paint cover up, rear brakes binding and a service light despite claiming a service had just been completed.
I have attempted to make contact with the seller numerous times but have not received any response. I have done a fair amount of research in my next steps and have contacted auto trader directly as well as the garage in which the MOT was originally completed. I have formally rejected the vehicle under the ‘consumer rights act 2015’ but did not seem to phase the seller.
My question to anyone is if I’m missing anything in regards to how I should approach this. I don’t believe the company is registered to a motor ombudsman so this is not an option as I understand. I am not completely clued up in the options I have so any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.