Second-hand car developed engine problems within a week

A blanket 'sold as-is' claim does not override statutory consumer protection when the seller is a trader acting in the course of business, which appears to be the case with a car dealership. Under the Consumer Affairs Act, Chapter 378 of the Laws of Malta, goods, including used vehicles sold commercially, must be fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality given their age, mileage and price, and a serious defect appearing so soon after purchase raises a presumption that it was already present at the time of sale. Get a written report from your mechanic describing the fault and, ideally, an opinion on how long the problem is likely to have existed. Send the dealer formal written notice of the defect and request repair, replacement, or a price reduction, keeping copies of everything. If the dealer refuses to engage, you can bring the matter to the Consumer Claims Tribunal, which regularly handles disputes over used vehicle sales, or seek guidance from the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA).