Just sold a lemon...

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I wouldn't have done it, but I doubt I'd sell my car privately. Not saying it makes it right, but if people buy privately with no guarantee they should either have a mechanic or pay the AA etc to inspect it if they don't know what they're looking for. It's also best to expect the worse from every car and make something of it even if a fault appears small. I know I wouldn't go out and buy a private car on my own.

Reply 21

dunnoaUSERname

TommyWannabe

Tell them......

This is why I'm worried about buying my first car. I can't afford one from a dealer so I have to go private. I don't have enough money to fix a major fault, just enough to buy a car, so if this happened to me I'd have immediately lost all my money essentially, and be totally lost.

yeh exactly, i'm worried about buying my first car too. it's worrying what kind of people are out there.

Reply 22

gbduo

Friggerpants

Gearbox sieze, front wheels locking up aint dangerous, huh?

Not if you look after your car.

It is like an engine oil leak, engine seizes, front wheels locking up and a piston flying through the block ain't dangerous either?

It is just basic maintenance, topping up your fluids.

It will be quite clear you have a leak, drops of oil on your driveway/road.

Besides, a gearbox with no oil, will give you PLENTY of warning before it goes. If anything, it needs much less lubrication than an engine so will keep going for a long time on no oil. Bearings are more likely to go before it seizes.

Reply 23

Friggerpants

But, hear me out.

The dude who this dude sold the car too didn't even bother looking for leaks!

You really think he's gonna keep fluids topped up etc?

Reply 24

gbduo

Friggerpants

But, hear me out.

The dude who this dude sold the car too didn't even bother looking for leaks!

You really think he's gonna keep fluids topped up etc?

Quite frankly, that is his own ignorance and negligence. Not the seller.

Reply 25

Planto

Just because they were foolish not to ask doesn't mean it wasn't immoral not to tell them. I think it's a fairly despicable move, really.

Reply 26

FoeGeddaBowDeet

gbduo

Say what? Comparing Paedophiles to selling a lemon, wow...

It is not a major fault, it is a small oil leak in the gearbox!

It's a perfectly logical comparison. You can't fault it just because it's a little less socially acceptable.

Reply 27

gbduo

FoeGeddaBowDeet

It's a perfectly logical comparison. You can't fault it just because it's a little less socially acceptable.

So now, you are going off topic and not answering the thread, well done.

Reply 28

FoeGeddaBowDeet

gbduo

Quite frankly, that is his own ignorance and negligence. Not the seller.

So if I sell you a gun that backfires in your face it's your fault for not checking every part works perfectly? Just what kind of idiot are you?

Reply 29

gbduo

Planto

Just because they were foolish not to ask doesn't mean it wasn't immoral not to tell them. I think it's a fairly despicable move, really.

Maybe, but the world is full of people without morals, especially in the used car market! You need to be aware of them, or you get bitten.

Reply 30

FoeGeddaBowDeet

gbduo

So now, you are going off topic and not answering the thread, well done.

you realise to accuse me of that you must accept you did it first? I posted on topic, you replied off topic and I defended myself.

Reply 31

Syntax Terrier

What car was it, so I know not to buy it in three weeks time?

Reply 32

Friggerpants

But, hear me out.

The dude who this dude sold the car too didn't even bother looking for leaks!

You really think he's gonna keep fluids topped up etc?

Reply 33

Planto

gbduo

Maybe, but the world is full of people without morals, especially in the used car market! You need to be aware of them, or you get bitten.

And? The OP was asking if he should be feeling guilty, which he should, regardless of how many greasy-haired sharks are doing the same thing.

Reply 34

gbduo

FoeGeddaBowDeet

So if I sell you a gun that backfires in your face it's your fault for not checking every part works perfectly? Just what kind of idiot are you?

An obvious leak such as oil, in small quantities would not constitute a fault of the seller. The buyer should have checked for such leaks or if they were not competent enough to do that, should have got someone in who was.

Secondly, if you cannot spot a small leak when you leave your drive every morning, you have no right to have a car. That is gross negligence on the part of the buyer and I am sure the police, most garages and insurance companies would also see it this way.

The seller is only liable if the car is inherently dangerous. It is not, it would fly through its MOT on a small gearbox leak. It is not a dangerous car. Legally.

Reply 35

JayEm

FoeGeddaBowDeet

So if I sell you a gun that backfires in your face it's your fault for not checking every part works perfectly? Just what kind of idiot are you?

You don't buy and use a gun unless you know exactly what you're doing. :rolleyes:

When you buy a house for example, you pay to have a survey done. Its the same with other substantial purchases like a car.

Reply 36

gbduo

FoeGeddaBowDeet

you realise to accuse me of that you must accept you did it first? I posted on topic, you replied off topic and I defended myself.

No, read again, I remained on topic and have remained on topic by saying it was a small engine leak. You replied with your socially unacceptable stuff, which is true, but irrelevant.

on topic again.

Reply 37

Planto

gbduo

That's all irrelevant legal babble, though. Fact is, he knew there was a problem with the car and obviously thinks it was sufficient enough to be worth mentioning (otherwise he wouldn't be questioning himself), so as a decent bloke he should have mentioned it to the buyer.

Reply 38

gbduo

Planto

And? The OP was asking if he should be feeling guilty, which he should, regardless of how many greasy-haired sharks are doing the same thing.

Yeh true, but there are worse things to feel guilty about. Both seller and buyer made mistakes, but no seller is going to tell you a problem with the car! The price was cheap, the clues were there, the buyer should have got it checked. He failed to do that, it is his fault as well.

But the fault with the car is not that bad.

I would have more to say if it was a true lemon, i.e. stolen, cut and shut and the VIN number erased. But this isn't, this is just a car with a fault, but priced accordingly.