For how long is too long to resent a seller
Discussion
When you buy a secondhand car it is less good than a brand new one.
When you buy a brand new car it often has problems. So they give you a warranty etc...
Vis-a-vis a secondhand car is even less perfect than a new one.
When you buy a secondhand car and you complete the sale and drive away... and it is your car and you have no comeback...
How long is too long to resent the seller?
I have bought many cars over the last 25 years and a lot of times I have wondered if I should hate the seller for not having said about the slow puncture or the weak battery and the thoughts have lingered despite the fact that heavy maintenance is a personal responsibility you must accept as the owner of an older car.
I still think about the people I bought cars from as if they knew everything which was wrong with the car.
When you buy a brand new car it often has problems. So they give you a warranty etc...
Vis-a-vis a secondhand car is even less perfect than a new one.
When you buy a secondhand car and you complete the sale and drive away... and it is your car and you have no comeback...
How long is too long to resent the seller?
I have bought many cars over the last 25 years and a lot of times I have wondered if I should hate the seller for not having said about the slow puncture or the weak battery and the thoughts have lingered despite the fact that heavy maintenance is a personal responsibility you must accept as the owner of an older car.
I still think about the people I bought cars from as if they knew everything which was wrong with the car.
Well I'd say that on the drive home, any problems that rear their head are what the seller new about and if they didn't mention them, then you kind of have a reason to resent them.
After this point, you can't blame them and give them the benefit of the doubt that they didn't know about them.
I recently had a really unpleasant dealing with a private seller. I came to view the car, offered a price which was 5% within the asking price, which he accepted but the whole thing was as if I was doing him a favour, absolutely no friendliness from him and little temper tantrums when he couldn't find the V5 and wheel nuts etc, despite me being amicable and numerous little things he lied about which he clearly knew about but failed to mention after delving in to the service records, buckled wheels etc. yes, I should have delved a little deeper when purchasing., but meh.
After this point, you can't blame them and give them the benefit of the doubt that they didn't know about them.
I recently had a really unpleasant dealing with a private seller. I came to view the car, offered a price which was 5% within the asking price, which he accepted but the whole thing was as if I was doing him a favour, absolutely no friendliness from him and little temper tantrums when he couldn't find the V5 and wheel nuts etc, despite me being amicable and numerous little things he lied about which he clearly knew about but failed to mention after delving in to the service records, buckled wheels etc. yes, I should have delved a little deeper when purchasing., but meh.
I've always been of the opinion if you can't o won't accept that a used car with have issues... you shouldn't be buying used cars. Plus we're all different, one many mild irritation is another's complete disaster, so topping up a slow puncture every three weeks may not bother the seller but may enrage the buyer. I think you need to adjust your expectations accordingly when you're not the first custodian of anything... house, boat, cars, bikes, partners... and be ready to invest a bit time and money bringing it up to a standard you're happy with. Or don't take it on in the first place.
Granted, blatant lies are a bit of a sore point... cars described as "flawless" and you travel several hundred miles and discover rust, damage or whatever then get the "Ahhh, but it's flawless for it's age" nonsense. Or again unsafe cover ups like last weeks Daily Mail to patch the sills and bald tyres etc, however the onus is on you as the buyer to do your checks and walk away if you're not happy. I think we've all been burned to some extent with cars at some stage, but if minor niggles are keeping you awake at night in a hate filled rage, maybe that's more on the buyer.
Granted, blatant lies are a bit of a sore point... cars described as "flawless" and you travel several hundred miles and discover rust, damage or whatever then get the "Ahhh, but it's flawless for it's age" nonsense. Or again unsafe cover ups like last weeks Daily Mail to patch the sills and bald tyres etc, however the onus is on you as the buyer to do your checks and walk away if you're not happy. I think we've all been burned to some extent with cars at some stage, but if minor niggles are keeping you awake at night in a hate filled rage, maybe that's more on the buyer.
I've only had 2 brand new cars and 1 brand new motorcycle in over 40 years of driving / riding, and they had no problems at all for at least 6 months, that was the point I thought?
As for used, I accept they will have issues, but I do resent one seller, or perhaps the one before them, who had taken apart the instrument cluster on a Mini R50 and put tape over the ABS and TPMS warnings.
It is still a bit 'caveat emptor' because I'm now more aware of what each model should display on ignition on and engine start regarding warning lamps. I wrote it off in less than a month so didn't get round to fixing it.
As for used, I accept they will have issues, but I do resent one seller, or perhaps the one before them, who had taken apart the instrument cluster on a Mini R50 and put tape over the ABS and TPMS warnings.
It is still a bit 'caveat emptor' because I'm now more aware of what each model should display on ignition on and engine start regarding warning lamps. I wrote it off in less than a month so didn't get round to fixing it.
I never do. When starting my car journey many years ago, my dad said to me “when you buy a used car, you are buying someone else’s problem”. That stuck with me, and so I expect it not to be perfect. I have inspections where necessary or just gamble it and see what happens.
Most have some kind of niggle or problem. Part of the used car journey is fixing up exactly how you like it.
Most have some kind of niggle or problem. Part of the used car journey is fixing up exactly how you like it.
Dave. said:
People don't tend to sell cars when they're perfect, you're generally always buying someone else's problems/castoffs.
Also, people are (generally)
s, moreso when it involves money and strangers.
If all you've had to put up with is a flat tyres and batteries, you've done bloody well
Of course some sell because they have been advised to do so. Others, though, simply get ‘itchy feet’ and wish to move on. This may apply to someone who had an ambition to own a Porsche or an exotic. Also, personal circumstances change: baby on the way/ no longer easy to get in and out of low car/ reduction in income, etc. Then there are ‘ bereavement ‘ sales where the owner had no plan to sell. Also, people are (generally)
s, moreso when it involves money and strangers. If all you've had to put up with is a flat tyres and batteries, you've done bloody well
The OP needs to buy one of my cars! I've just put a new silencer, bottom ball joint and steering rack boot on a £600 21year old Volvo (we've owned it 14years) because I want it to be 'right'. All its issues have been mentioned upfront.
I'm selling it to a stranger via a forum and it's a private sale. Only selling as I bought a work colleagues car for a price I couldn't refuse. Genuine hassle free buy/sells are out there although I accept I am the minority!
I'm selling it to a stranger via a forum and it's a private sale. Only selling as I bought a work colleagues car for a price I couldn't refuse. Genuine hassle free buy/sells are out there although I accept I am the minority!
Lots of people sell because they want a new car not because there's anything wrong with their current one.
People also sell because they may think due to the mileage they need to move it on.
Some sell due to issues or just not liking the car.
Like I always say buy on condition/receipts & you won't go far wrong.
In the OP's case they seem like minor niggles to me & I wouldn't resent anyone for them, life's far too short for that imo.
People also sell because they may think due to the mileage they need to move it on.
Some sell due to issues or just not liking the car.
Like I always say buy on condition/receipts & you won't go far wrong.
In the OP's case they seem like minor niggles to me & I wouldn't resent anyone for them, life's far too short for that imo.
Most cars hide some secrets, its just the way it is.
I am always as honest as I can be when selling but it does you no favours really.
I have one to sell soon that Isn`t worth a lot and the Quattro 4wd system does not work, bought it from a work colleague and he would not have known as there are no warning lights etc.
I will declare it obviously but most would not and that`s just the way it is.
I am always as honest as I can be when selling but it does you no favours really.
I have one to sell soon that Isn`t worth a lot and the Quattro 4wd system does not work, bought it from a work colleague and he would not have known as there are no warning lights etc.
I will declare it obviously but most would not and that`s just the way it is.
I've bought a number of cars where the price and description have suggested serious issues, where it turns out there were minor/none and I've been in disbelief I got such a screaming bargain! Examples include a Volvo C70 for £500 with a non-working roof, and it only needed a hall sensor. A virtually perfect, low mileage Vauxhall Astra estate and a £600 Audi A3 which apparently had DPF and DSG issues but the first turned out to be a £0 fix and the 2nd was the DMF which is a minor, non fatal flaw which is barely noticeable and will be left until disposal.
I've never kept a car for more than 3 years. Mostly they are gone in under 2 years, so I've sold quite a few in 50 years.
I don't think I've ever sold a car privately with a problem, and just once to a dealer (part exchange, old banger Merc with the common electronic steering lock issue). I tend to sort the problems out when I buy, get bored, and sell.
I don't think I've ever sold a car privately with a problem, and just once to a dealer (part exchange, old banger Merc with the common electronic steering lock issue). I tend to sort the problems out when I buy, get bored, and sell.
Davie said:
Plus we're all different, one many mild irritation is another's complete disaster, so topping up a slow puncture every three weeks may not bother the seller but may enrage the buyer.
My neighbour has been topping up his slow puncture with a squeaky foot pump every 3 or 4 days for the last 4 years. I suggested getting it fixed many times and he always says he should but never does.I always buy older cars, between 8 and 10 years old generally. I always expect them to have issues, but then I enjoy the process of getting them to a nice standard again.
Some new cars are lemons.
I tend to think most people have no solid idea about any issues. And if they've sold an otherwise perfectly good car cheaply because they want rid of it when the only issue is a weak battery, you shouldn't resent them, you should revel in the good fortune they have bestowed upon you.
And if they did know, well, they'd probably webuyanycar it rather than put it through a private sale.
I tend to think most people have no solid idea about any issues. And if they've sold an otherwise perfectly good car cheaply because they want rid of it when the only issue is a weak battery, you shouldn't resent them, you should revel in the good fortune they have bestowed upon you.
And if they did know, well, they'd probably webuyanycar it rather than put it through a private sale.
Maybe I've been super lucky. Bought 40 or cars and bikes over the last 15 years, if there have been hidden problems, I've not found any. A few niggles perhaps that I believe the seller genuinely missed, ie: Speedo bulb gone on a classic Honda (was probably never ridden in the dark).
Only seller I was slightly annoyed with didn't even do anything wrong, he just used the Subaru legacy I bought as a dog wagon. Only got wound up when I realised how hard it was to remove the dog hair.
I have a key list of deal breaking faults that I religiously check for on every vehicle, if those areas are all good, then I'm not really worried and if something does appear it's likely I forget about them myself. Has kept me happy so far.
Only seller I was slightly annoyed with didn't even do anything wrong, he just used the Subaru legacy I bought as a dog wagon. Only got wound up when I realised how hard it was to remove the dog hair.
I have a key list of deal breaking faults that I religiously check for on every vehicle, if those areas are all good, then I'm not really worried and if something does appear it's likely I forget about them myself. Has kept me happy so far.
The OP needs to buy one of my cars! I've just put a new silencer, bottom ball joint and steering rack boot on a £600 21year old Volvo (we've owned it 14years) because I want it to be 'right'. All its issues have been mentioned upfront.
I'm selling it to a stranger via a forum and it's a private sale. Only selling as I bought a work colleagues car for a price I couldn't refuse. Genuine hassle free buy/sells are out there although I accept I am the minority!
I'm selling it to a stranger via a forum and it's a private sale. Only selling as I bought a work colleagues car for a price I couldn't refuse. Genuine hassle free buy/sells are out there although I accept I am the minority!
Pebbles167 said:
Maybe I've been super lucky. Bought 40 or cars and bikes over the last 15 years, if there have been hidden problems, I've not found any. A few niggles perhaps that I believe the seller genuinely missed, ie: Speedo bulb gone on a classic Honda (was probably never ridden in the dark).
Only seller I was slightly annoyed with didn't even do anything wrong, he just used the Subaru legacy I bought as a dog wagon. Only got wound up when I realised how hard it was to remove the dog hair.
I have a key list of deal breaking faults that I religiously check for on every vehicle, if those areas are all good, then I'm not really worried and if something does appear it's likely I forget about them myself. Has kept me happy so far.
Care to share what they are? It may reduce the risk of other PHers getting stuck with a lemon. I would be interested to see if there is an crossover with my list too. Only seller I was slightly annoyed with didn't even do anything wrong, he just used the Subaru legacy I bought as a dog wagon. Only got wound up when I realised how hard it was to remove the dog hair.
I have a key list of deal breaking faults that I religiously check for on every vehicle, if those areas are all good, then I'm not really worried and if something does appear it's likely I forget about them myself. Has kept me happy so far.
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