Selling your used car - how much do you admit to?

[Deleted User]

I must admit I always have a problem with this because I always admit to too much and sometimes seem to put people off!

How much would you admit to with regards to problems with the car?

I've got an 8 yr old Punto I'm going to be selling and its a decent enough car with 10 months mot but there are one or two little problems like:-

- Had problems with water leak in the past. Think its the heater matrix but not sure.

- Problem with engine fan staying on too long. Might be ECU problem or sensor?


If it was something serious or bad, then theres no way I'd even sell a used car to someone. But would you admit to these problems? Its worth about £1600 in good condition but there a few scratches on it (nothing too bad) so I was going to sell for about £1200.

Should I just think the buyer should accept this if its an 8 yr old car that its going to have a few minor problems?

beverleyhills

Premote its good points. Don't mention its faults, unless asked a direct question about the particular function.

If the buyer complains after the sale, point out out it is a 8 year old car.

jaydeeuk1

Both points are related. If coolant is leaking from heater matrix (which could cost a fair bit to fix in labour) then the engine wouldn't be cooling properly, hence fan staying on.

Is water leaking in to the footwell?

[Deleted User]

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Both points are related. If coolant is leaking from heater matrix (which could cost a fair bit to fix in labour) then the engine wouldn't be cooling properly, hence fan staying on.

Is water leaking in to the footwell?

Has been but I think its sorted now - Radweld.

Fan prob is deffo sensor or ECU- according to fiat dealer.

[Deleted User]

beverleyhills wrote: »

Premote its good points. Don't mention its faults, unless asked a direct question about the particular function.

If the buyer complains after the sale, point out out it is a 8 year old car.

Yeah. I mean would your conscience allow you to keep quiet about the things wrong?

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

I wouldn't try guessing with a buyer as to the cause of a water leak. I'd just tell him it's been losing water and you're not sure from where.

As a buyer, anyone who said "oh it might be the matrix" I would presume to be lying, and would suspect something more serious like the head gasket. I'd walk away.

This isn't a judgement on you, its just being cautious.

[Deleted User]

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

I wouldn't try guessing with a buyer as to the cause of a water leak. I'd just tell him it's been losing water and you're not sure from where.

As a buyer, anyone who said "oh it might be the matrix" I would presume to be lying, and would suspect something more serious like the head gasket. I'd walk away.

This isn't a judgement on you, its just being cautious.

Pretty sure it aint the head gasket. Its been like this since I bought it over 2 years ago.

LandyAndy

Replacing a heater matrix might cost more than doing a head gasket.

Inactive

My level of openness would depend if I was selling it to a private buyer or part exchanging it.

I would declare all problems to a private buyer, I would only answer questions on a part exchange.

motorguy

Admitting the car is losing water is very likely to blow your chances of selling it.

You either need to resolve the problem or not mention it, then go down the 'oh well it was fine for me' line if the buyer complains later.

Another 'trick' i've come across lately is the seller saying 'i'm more than happy for you to have the car checked out by a mechanic' - often the buyer thinks this is a good sign and therefore doesnt bother - only to find out to their cost later there is a significant problem. On calling the seller the seller will say 'well i did give you the option of having it professionally checked out and you declined'

Not nice.

LandyAndy

pgilc1 wrote: »

Another 'trick' i've come across lately is the seller saying 'i'm more than happy for you to have the car checked out by a mechanic' - often the buyer thinks this is a good sign and therefore doesnt bother - only to find out to their cost later there is a significant problem. On calling the seller the seller will say 'well i did give you the option of having it professionally checked out and you declined'

Not nice.

Hardly a trick.

The buyer does have free will.