Fuming East Lothian dad buys £4k car on Facebook but it breaks down almost immediately

Connor Mclean Stibbles drove just 28 miles in the Volvo XC90 before it broke down
-Credit:Supplied


A man in East Lothian claims he was ripped off after forking out £4,200 for a used car - only for it to break down on the drive home, less than an hour later.

Connor Mclean Stibbles purchased the silver Volvo XC90 from a man on Facebook when his family was “desperate” for a vehicle.

Their last car was totaled in a collision on Wednesday, January 15, leaving them without means of transportation. They live in Whittingehame, seven miles from the closest village with no bus stations nearby.

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Connor and his partner support their three children including their 11-year-old daughter with a brain condition, who needs to be driven to school everyday.

He told Edinburgh Live: “I am completely lost. I’m very confused on how I got myself into this situation. The anger, stress, and worry goes without saying. The guy I met did not seem like the type of guy to sell me a car that would last just 28 miles.”

Connor connected with a man on Facebook while searching for an affordable, used car.

In their direct messages, the seller assured Connor the car “runs and drives great” and that “no expense” had been spared during his ownership of the vehicle.

The seller asked Connor to meet him in Livingston to pick up the car, supposedly around the corner from his work. He also requested that Connor pay the money to a bank account under a different name from the one on his Facebook.

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After Connor and his wife picked up the vehicle, they drove just 28 miles from Livingston to Pentcaitland, travelling at just 40 to 50 mph, before the car began making “clunking and banging sounds” and would not accelerate. It came to a halting stop on the side of the road, leaving them stranded.

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They were forced to call RAC to help get the car started. Mechanics told Connor that the vehicle had engine troubles that were likely present for a long time. They indicated that the previous owner was likely aware of the existing issues.

Connor said: “Looking back, there were red flags I should’ve picked up on, but we were desperate and needed a car. We stay seven miles from the shops. We have kids, one with a brain condition who needs to be taken to school. A car is vital to us.”

The couple is on shaky ground financially after investing in a local franchise.

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They spent most of their savings on the franchise license, making the £4,200 loss from the vehicle so devastating.

Connor added: “I have been naive and silly. I’m well aware of the risk of buying a second hand vehicle, but I expected it to at least get us home after paying £4,200.”

The seller has denied wrongdoing and refused to provide Connor with a refund. He stopped responding to Connor’s messages.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report on Monday, 20 January, 2025 of a possible fraud in relation to the sale of a motor vehicle in the Haddington area.

“Enquiries to establish any criminality are at an early stage.”

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