Do I disclose problems with car to dealer??

[enweto]

My car is buggered, the gasket is leaking water into the engine. It still goes (for now), but I have to keep the water topped up with water to stop it overheating. The ‘diagnosis’ has been via a process of elimination and several breakdown visits to several garages. As I understand it’s a problem that cannot be easily confirmed definitively as the gasket is deep inside the engine. But 99% that’s what it is.

So obviously I need a new car. And my question is, if the dealer I buy from offers to do a part exchange, should I disclose what I suspect to be wrong with the car? Or rather, would it be terribly unethical not to? I’m all for being honest but maybe it’s every man for himself in these difficult economic times and they’ll have to vet the car themselves? Thanks.

I suspect they are used to people lying about the condition of their car and have processes in place to protect themselves. Check the small print, it will be somewhere in there.

I would expect them to give the car a thorough going over and will work out for themselves that it is a car in need of repair. They’ll offer you a deal accordingly.

I think you would be considered fraudulent and liable to legal comeback if you deliberately witheld this information.

If water is in engine they will know by removing oil filler cap on the top. Cream cheese looking is a dead giveaway. They usually have a look when vehicles are traded

I’ve sold two cars recently. One to We Buy Any Car - was asked about the general condition of the car and if it ran well etc -told the truth (it was actually a good little car) and they offered a price and checked it over. I assume if we’d lied that would have been fraudulent. The second car sold direct to the dealer as part exchange. They didn’t ask us anything about the car and had it a couple of hours to look over it before they offered a price. That car actually had a bit of a clutch issue (nothing too bad) but as they didn’t ask and did their own assessment it wasn’t an issue. I imagine all dealers will do the same - assess the car before they offer you a part exchange price.

we want dealers to be honest and upfront about the condition of cars. Yet you want to palm off a dud onto them.

it works both ways.. or should at least.

If it's that bad they will notice?

I would only tell them what they ask you. I wouldn't lie, but if they don't ask then don't tell them. They offer pretty crappy amounts for part exchange anyway.

Sooooo I was a car saleswoman for 3 years.. they make enough profit. They should test drive/look over them during the appriasal of the vehicle. Answer any questions they have and leave it at that I'd say! They make the money back elsewhere. Probably an unpopular opinion but depends if you wanna be ethical or get as much as you can for p/x. Upto you. Happens all the time though. I bought a (really expensive!) car in that had been completely mashed after the workshop looked over it properly. They won't call you having a go. Just a 'shoula/woulda/coulda' situation for the dealer.

shoulda

We've sold recently.
We buy any car any car checked over the car, turned it on, checked the lights etc, looked in the boot etc. Knocked a bit off the original price offered because there were a few small scratches I hadn't even noticed.
Part exchange with Arnold Clark - looked at the car, asked us the miles, checked we had 2 keys, gave us a price. That's it. Didn't look inside or turn it on.
Tbh, we buy any car gave us a better price than Arnold Clark.

They won't offer you much in any event. I wouldn't worry about it!

I'm with the car saleswoman above. Don't reveal any extra info about the car. They make a really good profit, and they probably expect this to an extent.They are not going to call you and accuse you / sue you for fraud. Only on MN would that be suggested!

Thanks everyone!