Pregnant mother-of-two Karen Pudsey, 31, paid £700 for the M-reg 1.6-litre Ford Escort from a car dealer after taking it for a test drive.
But when she got back to her Queens Crescent home in Eastbourne, Ms Pudsey was stunned to find the motor would not even start.
She said she almost lost her job after being kept waiting two days to collect the car and the dealer failed to fix a broken glovebox and stereo which she had pointed out.
At Eastbourne County Court, Ms Pudsey sued Crawley Vehicle Sales for a breach of contract, claiming the vehicle was not "fit for purpose".
In court papers Ms Pudsey said, "I handed over £700 in cash and even told them to keep the £1 change.
"I had wasted two days waiting around for this car and almost lost my job. The car was finally delivered to my parents.
"I arrived to collect it, only to discover that the glovebox was still broken, the stereo had not been sorted, the part service history was not with it and there was hardly any petrol.
"I went to leave for home but the car would not start. I finally got it started and went home.
"When I got home I decided to calm myself down as I was fuming, before I called the office to complain.
"The phone was answered by the man who had sold me the car. I explained that I was not happy and the faults needed to be fixed.
"I was told by him that if I wanted them sorted out, I would have to bring it back to Crawley. I explained that I would not be able to as the car would not start at all.
"He asked me what I expected from a £700 car. I said that at the least I expected it to start.
"I told him that if he was not interested in sorting the problems out I would seek legal advice, only to be told to do it then and with that he hung up."
A Crawley Vehicle Sales representative failed to attend the 15-minute hearing on Tuesday but owner James Jackson filed a defence statement to the court.
He said, "The agreement was to MOT the vehicle for a year with a pre-delivery inspection and give attention to the battery.
"Due to the amount of vehicles we MOT the vehicle was late being finished.
"The agreement was that the vehicle would be delivered to Ms Pudsey's parents' house on Friday, March 14, which was duly carried out.
"Soon after that weekend Ms Pudsey phoned Joe Horvarth and complained that the radio was not working and the glovebox would not shut.
"Joe Horvarth invited Miss Pudsey to visit the garage when convenient and the necessary adjustments could be made.
"Ms Pudsey followed up with a letter expressing her discontent.
"We hold a good reputation for the cheaper end of the market and first-time buyers.
"Ms Pudsey's claim that the vehicle is not fit for the purpose intended is absurd and un-founded."
Deputy District Judge Byfield ordered Crawley Vehicle Sales to pay Ms Pudsey £699 and £125 court costs within 14 days.

ABOVE: Karen Pudsey (C)