A WOMAN has warned car hunters to be on their guard after she was left £2,000 out of pocket.

Claire Armstrong spotted her perfect car on the Auto Trader website and arranged to buy it from Fairfield Vehicle Sales, which used to be based on land off Rochdale Old Road, Fairfield.

The firm agreed to deliver the Volvo V70 to Miss Armstong's home near Inverness in Scotland, but then claimed the engine had died so arranged a refund.

That refund came via Hornby Street Vehicle Sales, but Miss Armstrong, aged 54, claims the cheque bounced.

She went to Bury Small Claims Court, which issued a liability order allowing bailiffs to get the money back for Miss Armstrong, but they failed to track down anyone involved.

Miss Armstrong is now £2,000 in the red, including the £1,200 cost of the vehicle and of taking the matter to court.

Companies House records shows Hornby Street Vehicle Sales was based on the Jf Business Centre in Hornby Street, Bury.

The company was incorporated in March 2013 and dissolved in October 2014 and the vehicle sale went through in August 2013.

Records show the company's director was Suaiel Riaz Haider, aged 34, who used to live in Talbot Grove, Chesham.

"I had looked on the internet for the car that suited my needs — one that was diesel, with manual gears, a tow bar and a roof rack, and I didn't mind buying it from some distance away," said Miss Armstrong, who is an animation director.

She added: "I carried out a lot of checks on Fairfield Vehicle Sales before I bought the car and, even then, I was left out of pocket.

"It was when they were delaying the delivery of the vehicle that I suspected there would be problems. I wasn't surprised when the check bounced."

Miss Armstrong made Bury Trading Standards aware of her experience and advised other people to be careful when buying cars.

"The experience has made it hard for me to trust people and I would encourage people to take as many precautions as possible, especially when buying online," said Miss Armstrong.

A Citizen's Advice Bureau spokesman said: "We would advise people not to part with your money until you've seen the vehicle."

A Bury Trading Standards spokesman said: "The seller of the car was Fairfield Vehicle Sales (operated by) a sole trader Suaiel Haider. To our knowledge, this was not a limited company.

"It has not been trading at Rochdale Old Road since April 2015."

Auto Trader removed Fairfield Vehicle Sales adverts when Miss Armstrong told them about the bounced cheque.

The Bury Times has been unable to make contact with the two firms involved in the transaction or Mr Haider.