Simiyu wishes to buy his son a car as a birthday present. Wheeler-Dealer offers to sell to Simiyu a second-hand car explaining that the brakes need attention and that he would reduce the price to take account of this. Wheeler-Dealer says that he will take no responsibility for this or other defects. Simiyu accepts the offer without examining the car. If he had done so, he would have seen that the tyres were badly worn out. Simiyu drives away the car but because of defects it fails to negotiate a bend in the road. The car loses control, strikes a wall and is damaged beyond repair.
Advise Simiyu of his rights, if any, against Wheeler-Dealer.
ANSWER
- This problem is based on exemption clauses as well as the conditions implied in sale of good contracts.
- In this case, Wheeler Dealer agreed to sell a second hand car to Simiyu at a particular price but at the same time disclaimed liability for the defective brakes and other defects. Simiyu bought the car but did not subject it to any examination and hence the accident.
- It is apparent that Simiyu acquired the car on “as is where is” basis (caveat emptor) and cannot therefore sue Wheeler-Dealer.
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Mr. A, a car dealer sells second hand cars. On Thursday last week, he placed an advertisement in a daily newspaper which stated the following: “Once in a lifetime, opportunity to own a one year old Nissan Caravan, low mileage, Kshs.500,000 cash. The offer is valid for only one day and the car will go to the first person who accepts it.” When Mr. B saw the advertisement, he immediately posted a letter of acceptance of Mr. A‟s offer. Mrs. C also saw the advertisement and came to inspect the car after which Mrs. C offered Mr. A a cheque of Kshs. 500,000. However, Mr. A refused to accept the cheque stating that another potential buyer had already offered to buy the car. Later in the day Ms D, another interested buyer telephoned Mr. A informing him that she was willing to buy the car but asked Mr. A if he would keep the offer open until she could go to her bank to obtain a loan. Mr. A accepted the request. However later, in the day, Mr. E, another potential buyer said that he would pay Sh. 600,000 in cash for the car. Mr. A agreed to sell the car to Mr. E. On Monday morning, Mr. A received Mr. B‟s letter of acceptance. At the same time, Mr. E returned to complete the transaction. However, in the afternoon Mr. E telephoned Mr. A to say that he had second thoughts and he no longer wished to purchase the car. Citing relevant decided cases where applicable, explain the legal principles in the case in relation to: (a) Mr. A (4 marks) (b) Mr. B (4 marks) (c) Mrs. C (4 marks) (d) Ms. D (4 marks) (e) Mr. E (4 marks)
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