Dealer said the white smoke from exhaust was just condensation, no need to check it?

[borettacar]

Went to test drive a Golf Polo 15 plate £7,600.
You could see a scratch on the front of car.

When test driving we noticed white thick smoke coming out. Granted it was a cold afternoon day and the car has probably been sitting outside without being driven. He tried to start with the sales tactic that someone phoned to see this tomorrow, when we brought up the smoke instead of answering why there was thick white smoke coming out. We drove it for about 15 minutes, so would have thought condensation would have cleared by then.

But when we got back to the office, another man in the office seemed to be annoyed that I said I wouldn’t feel comfortable buying it without a garage checking it out first and confirming it was just condensation, and not the head gasket or coolant leak etc. He got up and walked out and I’m sure it was because we didn’t just accept it was condensation.

We liked the car other than that. Albeit they didn't even want to change a tyre that was barely roadworthy but passed MOT or give anything off the price at all.

Am I being unreasonably cautious? What would you do in this situation?

Google is your friend

www.thedrive.com/maintenance-repair/37516/white-smoke-from-exhaust-on-startup

It shouldn’t be smoking/steaming after 15 mins and being nice and warm. Definitely don’t buy this one, get a Toyota or Honda instead rather than a POS VAG.

This whole setup sounds dodgy OP. I'd walk away.

Yes that's what I was reading out to them whilst on the test drive and in the office and they still said it's just condensation!

they sound unprofessional so I’d walk away and go elsewhere

Don't ever buy anything from people who use pressure tactics in sales.

Yes when we said that he just didn't say anything. He did get up and leave though. I think he was annoyed we didn't just say ok here's the money it's just condensation.

I suppose I would like other opinions as I hate second hand car shopping.

@applestewing @MiraculousLadybug I know you can't go with reviews, but I've scoured the internet and most are really good reviews of this place.

My first thought was a blown head gasket, possibly with a warped head. Walking away was definitely the right move!

Don't they all do that though?

He walked out because he realised he wasn't going to be able to pull a fast one over you, and it was a waste of time to pursue the sale.

It was the man who was trying to do that not the salesman who took us on the drive. I suspect he was the owner but emotional otherwise!

Engineer husband said it would be lovely and warm after 15 mins so that wasn't condensation- defo right to avoid that car

It is not a good sign and you would be mad to buy a car with very visible potential issues

I would not buy it. There are plenty of cars out there without the smoke. I'm not sure what relevance a scratch is though, I would expect to see things like that on a 9 year old car.

I think it was because it was at the front I thought it might have been involved in a crash. it was more than one at the front in the same area. I can't remember if it's called cat d or something and whether dealers are obliged to tell you or not.

However you're probably right it was probably a minor.

Aw thank you for asking him! Yes that's what we thought.

It's amazing how they expected us to just take there word for it that it was condensation!

Yes exactly it's unnerved me about buying with invisible issues that could be lurking now.

I think it was because it was at the front I thought it might have been involved in a crash. it was more than one at the front in the same area. I can't remember if it's called cat d or something and whether dealers are obliged to tell you or not.

That sounds like much more than a scratch.

However you're probably right it was probably a minor.

I didn't say it was minor, I asked why you mentioned it as scratches would be expected on a 9yo car, not you have explained it was not a small scratch but actual damage that made you think it had been in an accident I certainly don't think that to be minor.

Whoever this salesperson is; they sound like crooks.

If you dont heed this advice, then no sympathy for whatever you do end up buying instead.