Purchaser of car now asking for car history
Purchaser of car now asking for car history
Author
Discussion

Xabian

Original Poster:

4 posts

183 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
I’m a PHer, but didn't want to post under my usual alias for this, just in case.

Recently I sold my car. The car was / is in excellent condition except that it had had some body work replaced previously which resulted in a slight panel misalignment (not noticeable at all unless you are really looking for it).

The repair was 100% cosmetic, the misalignment doesn’t detract from the car and the car, apart from that, was genuinely an excellent example.

I didn't advertise the fact that it had this misalignment, but would have been honest with any buyer if asked. The chap who bought the car never asked if it had been damaged, repaired of if any panels had ever been replaced, nor did he notice the panel misalignment. I therefore I did not bring this to his attention, after he was the buyer and it is his responsibility to fully inspect the car, I as the seller had the responsibility to answer truthfully re any questions asked, which I did.

We both signed a standard private sellers contract of sale "sold as seen, no warranty implied of given” etc.

He has now come back to me saying he has noticed this panel misalignment and is just asking if I knew about the history etc. Now I don't want to seem cynical, but is he trying to get me to admit to something that could have repercussions?

I would like to be honest, and it is only a cosmetic issue, but the sale has been and gone for 3 weeks now, and I don't want hassle if he then argues I didn't tell him etc.

Where do I stand with this and what would you do?! (If there is no chance of repercussions then I will fully explain to him the history and that its only cosmetic etc.) He was a nice chap I any case and seemed honest.

Cheers guys smile

Wacky Racer

40,505 posts

269 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
As long as you did not give any mis-information you have nothing to worry about.

He never asked, you were under no obligation to tell him

Private sale....Buyer beware.

Probably 40% of used cars on the road have suffered some bodywork damage at some point to varying degrees.....

Cost Captain

3,920 posts

202 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
Xabian said:
I’m a PHer, but didn't want to post under my usual alias for this, just in case.

Recently I sold my car. The car was / is in excellent condition except that it had had some body work replaced previously which resulted in a slight panel misalignment (not noticeable at all unless you are really looking for it).

The repair was 100% cosmetic, the misalignment doesn’t detract from the car and the car, apart from that, was genuinely an excellent example.

I didn't advertise the fact that it had this misalignment, but would have been honest with any buyer if asked. The chap who bought the car never asked if it had been damaged, repaired of if any panels had ever been replaced, nor did he notice the panel misalignment. I therefore I did not bring this to his attention, after he was the buyer and it is his responsibility to fully inspect the car, I as the seller had the responsibility to answer truthfully re any questions asked, which I did.

We both signed a standard private sellers contract of sale "sold as seen, no warranty implied of given” etc.

He has now come back to me saying he has noticed this panel misalignment and is just asking if I knew about the history etc. Now I don't want to seem cynical, but is he trying to get me to admit to something that could have repercussions?

I would like to be honest, and it is only a cosmetic issue, but the sale has been and gone for 3 weeks now, and I don't want hassle if he then argues I didn't tell him etc.

Where do I stand with this and what would you do?! (If there is no chance of repercussions then I will fully explain to him the history and that its only cosmetic etc.) He was a nice chap I any case and seemed honest.

Cheers guys smile
Comes down to whether you have misrepresented the car or not, and I'm by no means the person to give a difinitive answer.

deny all knowledge, remind them sold as seen blah blah blah.

rallycross

13,675 posts

259 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
If it was a normal private sale why are you even asking the question?

Tell him the truth there is nothing be can do as it was a private sale, or tell him to leave you alone, it's a private sale there is nothing he can do.

entwisi

728 posts

213 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
"what misaligned panel, F*ck me, did I miss something when I bought it??????, Ah well, clearly doesn't affect teh drive and mustn't be that bad if I missed it! "


biggrin

biggrin

anonymous-user

76 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
most of my friends cars have have had this and have been sold as seen cosmetic repairs are not like its been in a chassis jig imo, there the same as stuff like new windscreens and bumpers in my books, nothing major

Fizpop

332 posts

191 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
I'd tell him. If it's as minor as you say then as a buyer I'd like to know just to put my mind at rest. Again if it's minor just say it wasnt worth mentioning at the time.

chrisr29

1,265 posts

219 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
Either come clean or deny all knowledge. Simple really.

Gizmo!

18,150 posts

231 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
Doesn't matter what you tell them. Sold as seen, private sale. Sorry.

I'd say that I'd assumed they'd noticed and weren't bothered, and besides they negotiated £x off the asking price anyway?

Xabian

Original Poster:

4 posts

183 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
Thanks guys, you've confirmed what I thought. It was a normal private sale, he transferred cash over and took car away.

ETA - He negotiated a slight reduction (and I had reduced the asking price from the original advertised price anyway).

Edited by Xabian on Tuesday 23 November 22:01

hornetrider

63,161 posts

227 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
Tell him yes and it didn't bother you.

Oh, bookmarked wink

mchoody

331 posts

227 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
I've noticed things on almost every car I've bought after I've had the car a few days, and I like to think I know what I'm looking for!! It's up to the buyer to look at the car properly at time of sale.

Xabian

Original Poster:

4 posts

183 months

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
quotequote all
Reply sent, I was upfront and honest smile

Hopefully I will not hear back and that is that....!

Xabian

Original Poster:

4 posts

183 months

Wednesday 24th November 2010
quotequote all
Update: chaps asking for more detail re the damage, parts replaced ,when accident occured etc(it was relatviely recent and during my ownership).

Not sure to reply and give more detail or just ignore / say i can't help.

Ive already told him the damage was cosmetic only and did not and does not affect anything mechanical or in any other way apart from the misalignment, which is the summary and factual, do I really have to spell everything out?!

He says he just wants to know what happened etc, will not replying now get his back up?

LuS1fer

43,149 posts

267 months

Wednesday 24th November 2010
quotequote all
Just tell him. He may just want to know the history and put his own mind at ease. He has no legal recourse, it's just information. Maybe a friend has noticed and it has made him feel like a tit and uneasy and he may just want to know.

Wacky Racer

40,505 posts

269 months

Wednesday 24th November 2010
quotequote all
Tell him as little as possible, in fact you are under no obligation to tell him anything.

From his point of view, I can see he would like to know what caused the damage, a Nissan Micra or a steam roller..biggrin, I think you will just have to play it by ear.

tbh, I would just tell him the bare minimum to put his mind at rest, and get him off your back.