Have you ever sold a car with "issues"?

[robinb]

If you have sold or traded in a car with "issues" did you tell people/dealers what those issues were upfront?

We own a 2006 5-speed Mazda 5 and we have about 85,000 miles on it. When we bought it new, we planned to keep it and drive it into the ground. Sadly, it appears that was much sooner that we had anticipated. Our car is a POS. If you look at Consumer Reports April issue on cars, you'll see the majority of column for the 2006 model is black or half black. We have had problems with each and every one of those items: we have replaced the clutch, the suspension, the brakes twice, it burns oil, the body integrity is crap and the bolts that hold the corners of the front bumper have broken and I have a ding on the rear bumper from someone hitting me while I was parked. We replaced the brakes and the clutch in the last 12 months and the suspension sounds like it needs to be done again and the nail in the coffin ... the a/c died last March and it would cost $2000 to have it fixed. There is no way I want to put another dime into this car.

So ... we are buying another car. We may buy a new car, we may buy a used car or we may buy a car off a lease (we have done this before and it was great!). If we buy a new car or a used car off a dealer lot we can negotiate a trade-in with the dealer. Or we can try to sell it to someone else. I don't want to lie about anything, but it seems foolish to provide a laundry list in advance. If asked what is wrong with the car I would admit to the broken a/c and that I have to top off the oil between changes.

 

[IUTBAM]

I'd never sell a lemon car (which is what yours seems to be) without disclosing the issues. Most people will have a background check (Carfax or similar) run on a used car...I know I would. And something may come back to haunt you legally if you do so.

We drive our cars until they won't drive anymore, and then we donate them to charity, since they don't care what condition the car is in. And, you get a tax write off (you can only write off as much as what the car is worth...obviously your car still runs, so you could probably claim "fair" condition). We donated our dead as a doornail/too many problems to count 2000 Nissan Quest last year, and got a $1,000 tax write off because that is what the charity we donated it to was able to sell it for at a car auction for parts.

 

[teacup princess]

I'd probably take it to Carmax and just take what they offer you. Whatever is wrong with it they'll figure it out in advance. Or sell it for parts. That way it's not like your selling a lemon to your completely unsuspecting neighbor or something. A place like that knows what to look for and what they're buying.

 

[niffer5150]

yes, we had a ford winstar that was a disaster. the engine had to be completely rebuilt 4 days after we bought it because it somehow sucked a nut through the intake. a year later the trans went in an incredibly liquidy explosion and was replaced. the cup holders were broken. the windows didn't roll down due to electrical issues. only one wiper worked really. the back window didn't have a wiper any more or the heating element to defrost because when someone threw a rock through it, the guy replaced the glass with the wrong glass. it smelled like it was on fire all the time despite nothing being wrong according to the mechanics. one of the sliding doors didn't open anymore. it would also make an incredibly shrill alarm beep for 10 to 15 minutes randomly because the air bag sensor would come loose under the seat. it sucked gas like crazy and cost a fortune to fill. it was heavy, slow, and like driving a massive brick on wheels. we told the family buying it that it was a POS and we made sure they knew everything that was wrong with it. they loved it. when they showed up to exchange money and papers, the van they had didn't have a floor left in it. the kids in the back seat had their feet dangling over empty space and road. we were just happy to be rid of it.

 

[blueiis99]

Dh is in car business and said that it's best to trade with dealer. They won't ask and you don't have to tell

 

[Callie]

I just traded in my buick. The AC still worked, but was going out FAST. Crazy windshield wipers, a load of other issues. I didn't mention any. I figure it they cared they'd check it over. They didn't ask about anything either. Most of the times when they are that old they just sell them at auction

 

[loricdietzel]

We had a jetta that was one problem after another. We ended up selling it to the dealer since they don't care. I just couldn't in good conscience sell it to someone with all the issues it had.

 

[jgreco]

I sold a car that was in decent shape "private party" then about 2 weeks later she called because the battery died, then the light in the back stopped working, etc. Hubby tried to help as much as possible, but it became a real irritating situation. I felt we sold the car with a clear conscience since it was a $1500 car and worth every penny.
That being said, trade it into a dealer, they will most likely wholesale the car anyway and those people expect there to be problems with the car and you can sleep at night. You will also be able to take advantage of the sales tax savings on whatever the trade-in value is (at least that's how it works in Florida).

 

[pixiewings71]

Dh is in car business and said that it's best to trade with dealer. They won't ask and you don't have to tell

Not here, here you have to disclose whether you trade it or sell it. So yes, I would be sure to give a list of the issues with the car if it had any.

 

[jpcamaro70]

Not here, here you have to disclose whether you trade it or sell it. So yes, I would be sure to give a list of the issues with the car if it had any.

Only if they specifically ask if the car needs a repair. Typically large dealers will send their used car manager to the car, he'll look it over real quick, check galves, and give the salesman the number. You are under no obligation to tell them every little thing wrong with the car.

Upon trading the car you will sign a notice that to "the best of your knowledge" the odometer represents the correct miles, and the car does not have branded title. Not about the functionality of all the parts.

Trade it in.

 

[njmom47]

yes, we had a ford winstar that was a disaster. the engine had to be completely rebuilt 4 days after we bought it because it somehow sucked a nut through the intake. a year later the trans went in an incredibly liquidy explosion and was replaced. the cup holders were broken. the windows didn't roll down due to electrical issues. only one wiper worked really. the back window didn't have a wiper any more or the heating element to defrost because when someone threw a rock through it, the guy replaced the glass with the wrong glass. it smelled like it was on fire all the time despite nothing being wrong according to the mechanics. one of the sliding doors didn't open anymore. it would also make an incredibly shrill alarm beep for 10 to 15 minutes randomly because the air bag sensor would come loose under the seat. it sucked gas like crazy and cost a fortune to fill. it was heavy, slow, and like driving a massive brick on wheels. we told the family buying it that it was a POS and we made sure they knew everything that was wrong with it. they loved it. when they showed up to exchange money and papers, the van they had didn't have a floor left in it. the kids in the back seat had their feet dangling over empty space and road. we were just happy to be rid of it.

OT:
Sorry, I just had to say I'm sorry that I'm because I didn't think anything could top dd2's first car!

 

[captainjen]

I am in the process of selling my old volvo on craigslist. I tell everyone who calls what the problems are with the car (brakes squeak, air conditioning and heating are just so so, the dash board lights are on etc) I also tell them that the car never stalls and starts up every time. If they want to look at it and drive it, then at least they know in advance what is wrong and right with the car. I think it saves up both from wasting time

 

[2girls4me]

We traded in my 99 señora for my 2002 crv. They only asked about the body of the car, not how it ran. We didn't get much, but we got rid of the car without a hassle.

 

[rcpae]

I have a related question...anyone ever sell or trade in a car with odometer issues? My daughters speedometer has been spotty lately. I noticed the other day that it looks like when the speedometer is not working, then it's not keeping mileage either with affects the odometer reading. I absolutely know i would disclose this to anyone, and I think we are required to by law....but what does a dealership do with that info?

 

[bpesch]

I feel like a seller has an obligation to disclose any issues if the buyer asks. And make good and sure the bill of sale says "as is" when you sell it. We just got rid of a car that had major issues. The buyer knew it right up front and we were very careful to let them know that we were not keeping the car because it was going to cost a lot of money to repair. He got it for a very good price and we ended up with a little money for a vehicle we were prepared to just give away. But we were very honest about everything we knew that was wrong with it.

 

[Granny square]

We sold our lemon for a discount with disclosure and as is. I didn't feel right presenting it as a great car or deal. I hate when when don't give me the up and up.

 

[elaine amj]

We sold our lemon to some good friends of ours. We had had some transmission issues and had paid a fair bit for some work on it. It reached a point that I didn't feel safe. Plus, DH and I are hopelessly unhandy and everything cost a fortune by then. We sold it at a very good price to some close friends and I gave them the full scoop. They took it on because they're handy enough to keep a close eye on things and the price was right for them. they were thrilled to have it.

Wonder of wonders, the van ran like a dream for them and they had no problems with it for years.

Win win win for all of us

 

[Omalley]

When I bought my current car, I traded in an 8 year old Pontaic with 180,000 miles. It barely made it to the dealership. They took it for a test drive and offered $1,000. I would have paid them to take it, so it was a great deal.

In good conscience, I could not have sold it as a private sale to anyone other than a mechanic or parts dealer. In my area, dealers sell a vehicle like that at auction to be used for parts/recycled.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I did. I sold it cheap and made it very clear up front the problems we were having with it. A mechanic bought it and was happy to buy it cheap because he knew how to fix it. I was glad to be rid of the stupid thing.

 

[eliza61]

Yes, not only did we disclose the issues, we had them in big writing!!. We sold at 12 year old Nissan maxima that had over 200K miles on it and had a few issues. We fully disclosed every thing. A guy brought the car as his work car and had no problems with the issues because he built and fixed cars for a hobby.

i simply try to treat people how I would want to be treated.