Sold a car, air con stopped working, buyer complaints

mikey72

verityboo wrote: »

While that is try, it's not the OP's problem and so would advise against corresponding with the buyer any more (even if it is to offer useful advice)

"Real" legal answers don't seen quite as conclusive.

Lum

So it's the coil that activates the AC clutch, which in turn makes the compressor spin. Fun

Those things either work or they don't pretty much, and could go at any time. Bad luck for the buyer, not the OPs problem.

I bet Honda are going to replace the entire bloody compressor, even though the clutches can be had for around £150.

HoagieKat

Lum wrote: »

So it's the coil that activates the AC clutch, which in turn makes the compressor spin. Fun

Those things either work or they don't pretty much, and could go at any time. Bad luck for the buyer, not the OPs problem.

I bet Honda are going to replace the entire bloody compressor, even though the clutches can be had for around £150.

You're right, I've just looked through the service manual (which I can get through an online forum) and they can do a clutch overhaul, which should be cheaper than replacing the entire thing. However I'm now 99% certain it was absolutely nothing to do with me when I sold the car.

I'm just pondering what I can politely tell the buyer!

malkyh

HoagieKat wrote: »

You're right, I've just looked through the service manual (which I can get through an online forum) and they can do a clutch overhaul, which should be cheaper than replacing the entire thing. However I'm now 99% certain it was absolutely nothing to do with me when I sold the car.

I'm just pondering what I can politely tell the buyer!

How about. "!!!! off"?

vax2002

The Buyer will have the benefit of the repair .
It worked when sold.
Tough, let them sue, worst case scenario is they end up getting what they wanted in the first place, best is they fail, Caveat emptor
Let the buyer beware.

Lum

Politely tell them to F off.

You have proof that it worked, you know the exact nature of the fault, something that happens suddenly and without warning, in the same way that bulbs and relays suddenly fail. For goodwill advise them how to get the job done cheaper, either by replacing or repairing the clutch alone.

If they choose to take it to a Honda dealer and unnecessarily have the entire compressor replaced, which is a ballache of a job and will require regassing the AC system as well, I don't see why you should foot the bill.

krlyr

Sorry, haven't read every page but given the latest, I would write a polite but firm letter. Make a point of having taken legal advice, having spoken to the air con specialists and having seen the diagnosis from the Honda garage, you are satisfied that it is an unfortunately timed failure after purchase and not a fault with the car at the time of sale. If you feel like offering a gesture of goodwill then perhaps do so but personally I wouldn't - I would just end the letter quoting the legal blurb about private car sales being on a "matches the description" (fault wasn't in existance at the time of sale - refer to the specialist who told you that there wasn't a way to bodge a repair to this particular failure) and "sold as seen" (so not in your remit to have all the components checked for signs of imminent failure) and give the note a tone of "I know what I'm saying, I'm not budging so don't even bother trying"

malkyh

I also bet they want cash rather than you being billed for the work.

You send cash, they probably wouldn't even get it fixed.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

heres something you can say the buyer.

vehicle was as described according to SOGA, you admit the aircon was working after sale. i have no obligation to you to repair this fault, and that i wish not to be contacted by yourselfs regarding this matter any further.

Tilt

HoagieKat wrote: »

You're right, I've just looked through the service manual (which I can get through an online forum) and they can do a clutch overhaul, which should be cheaper than replacing the entire thing. However I'm now 99% certain it was absolutely nothing to do with me when I sold the car.

I'm just pondering what I can politely tell the buyer!

Do you know if the buyer is even using the AC properly?