Surely if he broke this - even only partially, and then put the rest off for scrap metal - he'd make £500. The induction kit would do £40-£50 on eBay, £100 for the wheels, rear spoiler, lights, bumpers, etc, even before you get into "properly" stripping this down to panels. Plus I'd be calling trading standards or a solicitor - if the seller advertised/sold it as being in good running condition, and actually it's got a shagged engine, then although there's no Sale of goods act come back, he's still got a potential civil claim, even if he can't just return it like you would with a trader - and in my experience, most genuinely private sellers would cack it at getting a solicitor's letter threatening legal action for recovery and just refund the cash, 'cos if it went to court they'd end up paying back the selling price PLUS the legal costs.
Still be pissed if I'd bought an ST for a grand, though, running or not - only paid £750 for my GT, and that was immaculate (admittedly, it was bought off my father in law, who's an engineer and who'd kept the car looking like showroom-ready, so it's maybe not a COMPLETELY fair comparison :rolleyes: )