Would you tell a car dealer...
Discussion
A mate (honestly)! advertised his 2 year old Golf GTi yesterday and within 30 mins got a call from a main VW dealer who wanted it as they had a customer looking for one.
Basically he has agreed to sell it for ease and they are giving him his asking price more or less.
Anyway he's had it from new and its mint, but it has had an Revo remap and lowering springs fitted. I asked him what the dealer said and he never thought to mention it and they never asked.
I think he should tell them personally but he's happy to just let it go and answer that question if they ask it (which they haven't)
What does PH think? What would you do?
Interested to hear from anyone in the trade if they bought a car they found to be modded?
Basically he has agreed to sell it for ease and they are giving him his asking price more or less.
Anyway he's had it from new and its mint, but it has had an Revo remap and lowering springs fitted. I asked him what the dealer said and he never thought to mention it and they never asked.
I think he should tell them personally but he's happy to just let it go and answer that question if they ask it (which they haven't)
What does PH think? What would you do?
Interested to hear from anyone in the trade if they bought a car they found to be modded?
Phil Dicky said:
lord trumpton said:
He had the mods done 2 weeks after buying it new and didn't mention them in the advert because it didn't occur as they have been on 2 years. An honest oversight and I do believe him strangely.
Really...thats a massive oversight!!!!Benjijames28 said:
Surely his advertisment for the car mentioned the remap and lowering springs? If not then he's a dishonest 
to start with isn't he?
A bit harsh? I have sold cars, without having listed EVERY single modification from original specification. to start with isn't he?Only dishonest if buyers asks, “has it been remapped?” and you say no.
So aside from the judgements on his decisions/morality etc
what would you all do in the same situation?
Option 1 - Tell them and see what they say (most likely lose the sale) and amend advert for new buyers? (my view)
Option 2 - Say nothing until asked, take the sale and let the main agent deal with it if they check/find out etc?
what would you all do in the same situation?
Option 1 - Tell them and see what they say (most likely lose the sale) and amend advert for new buyers? (my view)
Option 2 - Say nothing until asked, take the sale and let the main agent deal with it if they check/find out etc?
I imagine many if not most dealers will have a declaration document for cars they buy in used from the public, that the seller will have to sign. amongst other things I'd expect it to include reference to any accidents its been involved in and any modifications.
Better to be upfront with people and make a good sale than rely on crossed fingers and good luck.
Better to be upfront with people and make a good sale than rely on crossed fingers and good luck.
When selling privately contractual rules and misrepresentation law does apply.
Therefore, if you advertise something as being something and it turns out it is something else a buyer can have comeback even in a private sale.
If you sold this car privately and did not declare that it isn't a Golf GTi as advertised and a buyer would expect then they may well have some comeback. It is also downright dishonest as a buyer would probably have invalid insurance whilst they owned it.
In this case it is a little bit of a grey area as you are selling to trade which could be deemed an "expert". However, if it is a large dealer group they probably have a very good law firm on retainer so bear that in mind.........
Therefore, if you advertise something as being something and it turns out it is something else a buyer can have comeback even in a private sale.
If you sold this car privately and did not declare that it isn't a Golf GTi as advertised and a buyer would expect then they may well have some comeback. It is also downright dishonest as a buyer would probably have invalid insurance whilst they owned it.
In this case it is a little bit of a grey area as you are selling to trade which could be deemed an "expert". However, if it is a large dealer group they probably have a very good law firm on retainer so bear that in mind.........
What my issue is - dealer buys car, checks it over and customer buys it.
since it has 12 months warranty left, something maybe goes wrong and new owner takes it to their dealer only to be told it's not covered as they have found it has been mapped.
Customer kicks off, dealer is liable and get stung for paying for the repairs.
I know some have a 'fk the car trade' view but they are still people and whats right is right imo
since it has 12 months warranty left, something maybe goes wrong and new owner takes it to their dealer only to be told it's not covered as they have found it has been mapped.
Customer kicks off, dealer is liable and get stung for paying for the repairs.
I know some have a 'f
k the car trade' view but they are still people and whats right is right imojanesmith1950 said:
I imagine many if not most dealers will have a declaration document for cars they buy in used from the public, that the seller will have to sign. amongst other things I'd expect it to include reference to any accidents its been involved in and any modifications.
This. No way is a pukka dealer going to take a car without getting the seller to sign.Wouldn’t the lowering be pretty obvious anyway?
An honest seller would have listed all the mods in the original advert.
It’s not solely down to the buyer to ask if it’s been modified; such things should be disclosed by the seller. Otherwise it looks very much like they’re trying to hide the fact that non standard parts have been fitted.
It’s not solely down to the buyer to ask if it’s been modified; such things should be disclosed by the seller. Otherwise it looks very much like they’re trying to hide the fact that non standard parts have been fitted.
alec.e said:
Benjijames28 said:
Surely his advertisment for the car mentioned the remap and lowering springs? If not then he's a dishonest to start with isn't he?
A bit harsh? I have sold cars, without having listed EVERY single modification from original specification. to start with isn't he?Only dishonest if buyers asks, “has it been remapped?” and you say no.
This is one reason I'm now a retired car dealer, I could tell you all about so many instances I've been sold a car to find out it has issues the previous owner has chosen not to declare.
Yes we are supposed to be experts, but if I have what I feel is an honest person in front of me I often used to trust them.
After 30 years in the trade I learnt that some people who are generally honest feel it's ok to tell a little lie when it comes to selling their car, happy to say they're in the minority though.
So in answer to the op question, don't know how your friend sleeps at night, like someone has said, dealer should be checking for this type of thing, but some times we do like to trust people.
How wrong we are sometimes.
And I know most of you will be thinking "are car dealers honest then?"
Valid point, and quite right, not all car dealers are honest, I've been deceived more by other car dealers than I have been by the public, much more.
I'm so glad I'm now out of the business.
Yes we are supposed to be experts, but if I have what I feel is an honest person in front of me I often used to trust them.
After 30 years in the trade I learnt that some people who are generally honest feel it's ok to tell a little lie when it comes to selling their car, happy to say they're in the minority though.
So in answer to the op question, don't know how your friend sleeps at night, like someone has said, dealer should be checking for this type of thing, but some times we do like to trust people.
How wrong we are sometimes.
And I know most of you will be thinking "are car dealers honest then?"
Valid point, and quite right, not all car dealers are honest, I've been deceived more by other car dealers than I have been by the public, much more.
I'm so glad I'm now out of the business.
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