I bought a classic 80s motor recently. Now with a car of this age you take everthing with a pinch of salt. I judged the car on merit and am overall happy with it. It is in prime condition, nearly show standard and I paid a fair sum for it. The service book has a series of stamps from the past three or four years from the supplying classic dealer. I got some cock and bull about the car being serivced by them and then sold to them when the owner decided to sell it. I wasnt that fussed, as I say, judged the car on merit and there were plenty of othe reciepts for years prior. Stamps in books are just that, stamps in books, especially from little independants. They dont prove much so I certainly didn't buy the car for this reason.

However, I found the email address of the previous owner in the docs so dropped him a line. Thought he might like to know his cherished motor had gone to a good home. We had a good chat. Good news - the guy was a genuine enthusiast and had done a load of work and everything sounds nice. But then I ask about the services. Nope, he never even knew the dealer and sold it to them on ebay. He had never had it serviced there and said the book hadnt been stamped in his ownership. He said he'd go on the record to confirm that if necessary.

I don't really want to return the car, it's a great motor. But I have clearly caught them commiting fraud and part of me thinks I should have them up anyway just to teach them a lesson. Anyone have a view on whether this would be something trading standards would pursue with any enthusiasm? Could I get any compensation without having to return the car? I love the car already but I just dont think I should let a dealer get away with this. I expect a bit of sales patter and a few yarns to be told, but stamping the book falsely to pretend you've been servicing it for the past three years is a different story I think.