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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not mention that transmission isn't working when I part ex my car tmw?

29 replies

kaymondo · 06/03/2015 07:42

I'm picking up my new car tomorrow and my old car is being taken by the dealership as part exchange. The deal was negotiated and price agreed for the part ex about 6 weeks ago when we ordered the new car.

In typical bad timing, when I got in the car yesterday a load of new warning lights came on and the car isn't getting beyond 2nd gear (automatic transmission). I have no idea what to do now. We can get it to the dealership but not sure what kind of warranty, if any, we're expected to give about the condition of the car. Also, we're generally very honest people and saying nothing doesn't exactly sit right. On the other hand I really don't want to have to start renegotiating the part ex value on the day and finding extra cash to make up the shortfall.

Does anyone know what happens in this type of situation? Does the garage just go on the assessment of the vehicle they did 6 weeks ago or will they inspect again tmw and/or ask for any kind of warranty? And if they don't ask, would you disclose the issue?

Can't believe the stupid car couldn't wait another 2 days before it decided to give up on us Hmm

OP posts:
Haggisfish · 06/03/2015 07:45

Just say nothing.

FuckyNell · 06/03/2015 07:55

I would tell them. It's the right thing to do, and you would forever feel bad if you didn't. Or maybe that's just me Grin

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 06/03/2015 08:02

One of ours died outside the dealer just before part ex. They were fine about it.

They factor in a certain amount of repair usually bodywork on partexes anyway. Those costs are hugely below retail as well. Also, they desperately want the sale. If you're buying a 64 plate on a clearance deal, they want it gone.

HorsesDogsNails · 06/03/2015 08:03

Don't tell them, they're a garage so the cost to them of repair is much lower than the retail cost to you! I can't bring myself to have a conscience over this, I know too much about garages!

InfinitySeven · 06/03/2015 08:06

Tell them. You'll need to sign a declaration that the car is in the same condition that it was six weeks ago and matches the recorded information. Lying would be fraud and make the next few weeks so stressful.

TheFairyCaravan · 06/03/2015 08:08

YABU it's fraud.

Marynary · 06/03/2015 08:09

I would tell them as it probably won't make any difference.

LittleBairn · 06/03/2015 08:11

You are not that honest if you are willing to lie.

Original poster
kaymondo · 06/03/2015 08:12

This is interesting, lots of people on either side of the fence!

I certainly wouldn't lie on any documentation so if we're asked to sign anything to confirm that it's in the same condition as when assessed/good condition then I would definitely disclose the issue.

OP posts:
Original poster
kaymondo · 06/03/2015 08:14

Littlebairn I wouldn't lie - I'm just considering whether or not to offer the information if I wasn't asked...

OP posts:
WaywardOn3 · 06/03/2015 08:16

They checked and quoted for my car the day I part exed it. Mainly as I hadn't really intended to buy but found a great car there.

My old on had a crack under the bumper, a cracked break light, clutch needed replacing and the brakes had just started to fail...

He listened to the engine, quoted me £500 I said I'd buy there and then if he could give me £750 which he did, making my newer car a more affordable £3,250 :-)

I don't feel bad about not disclosing the faults and he never asked about any issues the car might have. He did ring me back a few days after the sale though but only to ask what the key code to start the engine was as he'd lost the paper with it on.

DrElizabethPlimpton · 06/03/2015 08:17

Of course you must tell them. Your car had a certain value 6 weeks ago which is paying for a proportion of the car. That value is now reduced so you must tell them. Anything less is unlawful. Turn things around and how would you feel if the car you agreed to buy had a faulty transmission? Would you accept that as fair and acceptable ?

timeforabrewnow · 06/03/2015 08:22

If the dashboard is lighting up like a Christmas tree, surely they will see that straightaway!?

ginmakesitallok · 06/03/2015 08:28

I wouldn't mention it, it's up to them to check the car, caveat emptor and all that. Any time I've traded in a car the haven't even checked car over. They know what they are doing.

richthegreatcornholio · 06/03/2015 08:43

Absolutely don't volunteer the info but don't lie if asked. At the end of the day it is a private sale from you to them, they are the supposed experts and you are not. It is entirely their lookout to inspect the car before they take ownership and they will have every option to do so. Chances are it will just be put straight though the auction anyway so will be someone else's problem.

firesidechat · 06/03/2015 08:45

We part exchanged my ancient Fiesta recently and the dealer didn't even ask if there was anything wrong with it, although if anything it was a better runner than it's bodywork suggested.

Dealers do this all the time, sometimes they win, sometimes they lose.

However if they ask I would have to own up. Did they ask about it's condition 6 weeks ago?

BloodyDogHairs · 06/03/2015 08:50

Nope my car had a fault that it needed jump started some mornings, we never told the car company this. No idea what was wrong with the car as even the mechanic that checked the battery over told us he didn't know why it wouldn't start either.

MiddleAgedandConfused · 06/03/2015 09:04

When I part-exed mine the garage checked it over beforehand. But read the paperwork you are signing just in case.
Caveat emptor.

sanfairyanne · 06/03/2015 09:06

part x is all just part of the sale though - another reason to give a discount. i doubt they would be bothered anyway.

Original poster
kaymondo · 06/03/2015 09:47

Firesidechat, no they didn't ask - they just did a quick visual inspection and started the engine to check the mileage. Nothing more thorough than that.

It is def true that the part ex is all just part of the deal. We negotiated quite hard on the new car and the dealership couldn't discount the new car by enough (because of rules set by the manufacturer) so they inflated the value of the part ex to manipulate the figures to what we were prepared to pay. So the part ex value is pretty artificial anyway.

I did say caveat emporer to my DH this morning. At the end of the day it's a risk anyone takes when they buy a second hand car. We had an expensive issue with this same car about 2 weeks after we bought it, which in hindsight the garage had clearly known about. Was I annoyed? Yes, absolutely. Did I go moaning to the garage about it? No, because that is the risk you take when you buy second hand.

OP posts:
Baaaaaaaaaaaa · 06/03/2015 10:17

Erm, you don't need to start the car's engine to see how many miles are on the clock. If they turned the engine over they will have been listening to the engine and seen any warning lights come up. They are aware of what was showing, hence the inflated price. Do the right thing.

If someone sold a car to you and you found out it had something so inherently wrong with it you'd be furious.

Tell the truth, you can never be wrong.

richthegreatcornholio · 06/03/2015 10:20

We had an expensive issue with this same car about 2 weeks after we bought it, which in hindsight the garage had clearly known about. Was I annoyed? Yes, absolutely. Did I go moaning to the garage about it? No, because that is the risk you take when you buy second hand

It's not the risk you take when you buy from a dealer though, you were stupid to suck that up when the dealer should have repaired it for you. Caveat emptor only applies to private sales, the SOGA applies when you buy from a dealer.

richthegreatcornholio · 06/03/2015 10:22

If someone sold a car to you and you found out it had something so inherently wrong with it you'd be furious

If I bought it from a dealer then it would be up to them to fix it and if I'd bought it privately without due diligence then it would be 100% my own fault - no one to be furious with but myself.

TheoriginalLEM · 06/03/2015 10:23

I have managed to talk the price of a part-exchange discount on a car in the past with no vehicle to part-exchange it with, its just a carrot to get you to buy from them.

If the deal has been done then it is really their problem.

susiella · 06/03/2015 10:25

I part-exed a mini which wouldn't go into 3rd gear, the indicator stalk had snapped, my Dad mended it with gaffer tape, & the handbrake was useless.
The dealer roared his head off laughing but still accepted it. The car we were buying had enough profit in it for the dealer to make it worth his while. Your new car will have too.
I doubt you will be able to do the deal without him noticing the warning lights. Stay silent & take your cue from what he says.

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