Should I be honest about a fault when selling?
Discussion
I feel a bit of a muppet. I was removing the dash cam on our MPV (used for transporting kids to uni.) as we’re selling it. It’s going in for part-exchange on Monday.
Whoever we bought it from decided to wrap the cam wiring around another harness so it all looked like one to me!
Snip I went and fault codes emerged for the rear side lights. Great I thought… I can be my own critic and if anyone can get an oscar for self-degradation it’s probably me.
After an hour of moping… I decided to attempt a home repair but to no success.
No local auto electricians are returning my calls. Friday evening who would?!
Should I point this out to the dealer on Monday?
Will they likely spot it?
Having a look online the harness is about £35. A few connectors are £10 a piece.
It got me thinking though after reading this article online:
https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/does-seller-declare...
Hindsight is a wonderful thing so looking back I don’t know why I bothered when it’s an old camera and they probably don’t make the harness anymore for it.
What would you do?
Leave it and let them spot it? Or just tell them?
No other faults on the car.
Apologies about this post I am probably still annoyed with myself. Been working on cars for years and it’s the first time I have done something quite stupid.
Whoever we bought it from decided to wrap the cam wiring around another harness so it all looked like one to me!
Snip I went and fault codes emerged for the rear side lights. Great I thought… I can be my own critic and if anyone can get an oscar for self-degradation it’s probably me.
After an hour of moping… I decided to attempt a home repair but to no success.
No local auto electricians are returning my calls. Friday evening who would?!
Should I point this out to the dealer on Monday?
Will they likely spot it?
Having a look online the harness is about £35. A few connectors are £10 a piece.
It got me thinking though after reading this article online:
https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/does-seller-declare...
Hindsight is a wonderful thing so looking back I don’t know why I bothered when it’s an old camera and they probably don’t make the harness anymore for it.
What would you do?
Leave it and let them spot it? Or just tell them?
No other faults on the car.
Apologies about this post I am probably still annoyed with myself. Been working on cars for years and it’s the first time I have done something quite stupid.
Xcore said:
To a dealer? They are the experts, let them spot it.
What are the chances they’d call me after and make a song and dance out of it?I just want a restful week with no headaches. I am off next week and we’ve had enough after wife lost both parents to COVID earlier this week within the span of 3 days.
If they are likely to pursue me for £100 or something after noticing cut wires a few days later.. I’d rather they knock that off the exchange and leave me be.
We’ve got two funerals to be getting on with.
pork911 said:
A buyer should always beware but how have you got to this point in life without knowing what sort of person you decide to be daily?
I don’t know. Since furlough I became a bit depressed. I am a lot better but still a way to go. I lost my business and have been slowly rebuilding life. Personally I would tell them, they will find out anyway and if they find the reason they will probably know you knew.
But many will say, as has already been said, they are the experts so don't tell them. Then the same people will go on to say how crooked most car dealers are and will rip you off at any opportunity
However if it is part ex and you are buying another car from them you don't want to give them a reason for being awkward if you have a problem with it.
What would you also expect to happen if the car they sell you has sidelights that don't work?
But many will say, as has already been said, they are the experts so don't tell them. Then the same people will go on to say how crooked most car dealers are and will rip you off at any opportunity
However if it is part ex and you are buying another car from them you don't want to give them a reason for being awkward if you have a problem with it.
What would you also expect to happen if the car they sell you has sidelights that don't work?
Monkeylegend said:
Personally I would tell them, they will find out anyway and if they find the reason they will probably know you knew.
But many will say, as has already been said, they are the experts so don't tell them. Then the same people will go on to say how crooked most car dealers are and will rip you off at any opportunity
However if it is part ex and you are buying another car from them you don't want to give them a reason for being awkward if you have a problem with it.
What would you also expect to happen if the car they sell you has sidelights that don't work?
You’re so right. I will point it out. But many will say, as has already been said, they are the experts so don't tell them. Then the same people will go on to say how crooked most car dealers are and will rip you off at any opportunity
However if it is part ex and you are buying another car from them you don't want to give them a reason for being awkward if you have a problem with it.
What would you also expect to happen if the car they sell you has sidelights that don't work?
k them. Let them find the problems 
Tell them exactly what happened, they can decide whether to continue with the deal at the agreed price, or re value and possibly lose the deal .
From the sounds of it, it's not going to cost much to reconnect some wiring.
You will feel better about yourself, and also If you need to go back to the dealer with a possible warranty problem on the vehicle you bought from them. You will already have the 'moral high ground'. Always a good place to fight from!
From the sounds of it, it's not going to cost much to reconnect some wiring.
You will feel better about yourself, and also If you need to go back to the dealer with a possible warranty problem on the vehicle you bought from them. You will already have the 'moral high ground'. Always a good place to fight from!
Prank Sinatra said:
Monkeylegend said:
Personally I would tell them, they will find out anyway and if they find the reason they will probably know you knew.
But many will say, as has already been said, they are the experts so don't tell them. Then the same people will go on to say how crooked most car dealers are and will rip you off at any opportunity
However if it is part ex and you are buying another car from them you don't want to give them a reason for being awkward if you have a problem with it.
What would you also expect to happen if the car they sell you has sidelights that don't work?
You’re so right. I will point it out. But many will say, as has already been said, they are the experts so don't tell them. Then the same people will go on to say how crooked most car dealers are and will rip you off at any opportunity
However if it is part ex and you are buying another car from them you don't want to give them a reason for being awkward if you have a problem with it.
What would you also expect to happen if the car they sell you has sidelights that don't work?
It's (very) frustrating but you already knew the correct answer, otherwise you wouldn't have asked.
I don't have a problem with people moaning about dealers when they're at fault but I do have a problem with people criticising or moaning about others when they do similar things themselves.
TarquinMX5 said:
Prank Sinatra said:
Monkeylegend said:
Personally I would tell them, they will find out anyway and if they find the reason they will probably know you knew.
But many will say, as has already been said, they are the experts so don't tell them. Then the same people will go on to say how crooked most car dealers are and will rip you off at any opportunity
However if it is part ex and you are buying another car from them you don't want to give them a reason for being awkward if you have a problem with it.
What would you also expect to happen if the car they sell you has sidelights that don't work?
You’re so right. I will point it out. But many will say, as has already been said, they are the experts so don't tell them. Then the same people will go on to say how crooked most car dealers are and will rip you off at any opportunity
However if it is part ex and you are buying another car from them you don't want to give them a reason for being awkward if you have a problem with it.
What would you also expect to happen if the car they sell you has sidelights that don't work?
It's (very) frustrating but you already knew the correct answer, otherwise you wouldn't have asked.
I don't have a problem with people moaning about dealers when they're at fault but I do have a problem with people criticising or moaning about others when they do similar things themselves.
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