This is terrible, sorry to hear it. I know what its like buying a car when the engine goes pop after buying it.
Did you test drive the car first? Sorry if its already been mentioned.
Yeah, had a good test drive, but that was 10 days before I collected it, so anything could have happened in that time..
"Hmm, ill take it for one last rag!!!!!"
Oh dear, not good. If i had that long between testing a car and taking it home, id be looking at the mileage and taking it for another test drive before handing over the readies. But hindsight is a wonderful thing. Shame the owner has left you to pick up the pieces, but thats unfortunately all part of buying a car 2nd hand without a warranty. Nothing you can do, "Sold as seen".