Selling a “lemon” honestly

[Chapap]

How do you sell a few year old car that looks new, but has a hidden problem (worn ring) honestly? The car could go another 100k, or roll over in a month.

I’m not worried about honesty on my end… I want to do my best to make sure it doesn’t wind up on a lot for full price with the problem undisclosed. Best I can think of is to sell to someone I know, but I don’t have anyone who’d want it.

 

[bobbywalter]

You price it to what you think is fair and state it as so....then hope there is a bidding war.

 

[Ranger850]

What is a "worn ring"?
What car is it?
How old is it?
Without the "worn ring", how much would the car be worth?
How much does it cost to repair a "worn ring"

 

[09fx4guy]

Just curious, do you mean that it is going to need rings soon? What has led you to that conclusion? Also, what kind of car is it?

As far as selling it honestly, I think that the best you could do is disclose it to the person / dealer you are selling it to. If the person you sell it to does not disclose it, then that is their problem.

 

[09fx4guy]

Ranger850- Beat me to it.

 

[Chapap]

What is a "worn ring"?
What car is it?
How old is it?
Without the "worn ring", how much would the car be worth?
How much does it cost to repair a "worn ring"

This specific instance is a friends car, but the question is in general. I’d just feel bad if I sold a pos to a lot, then saw a top dollar sticker on it.

2015 volvo that’s consuming a quart every 1.5 months. No other symptoms. Mechanic determined warn piston ring and possible failing turbo compressor. Current plan is to keep feeding it oil.

 

[Curious Hound]

Sell it honestly and don't worry about what happens after that. You have no control over someone else's actions.

If you're really worried about what happens later. Get it fixed before you sell.

 

[Ranger850]

This specific instance is a friends car, but the question is in general. I’d just feel bad if I sold a pos to a lot, then saw a top dollar sticker on it.

2015 volvo that’s consuming a quart every 1.5 months. No other symptoms. Mechanic determined warn piston ring and possible failing turbo compressor. Current plan is to keep feeding it oil.

Park it for a few months, save your oil money for a JY motor and swap it out, then sale it with a clear conscious

 

[Roert42]

Have you considered the option of selling it dishonestly?

Also, possible the rings are just stuck to the pistons and not sealing properly? seems like it would be plausible if the car was driven on a lot of short trips/ low rpm. especially if it lower miles, seems much more likely then worn out rings.

 

[CrabGuy]

State that it uses excess oil and possibly a worn oil ring(s) and turbo issue. If it runs well enough someone will buy it and they will be aware of the problem. The sellers conscience is clear and the buyer should have known better than buying a used Volvo!

 

[Chapap]

Have you considered the option of selling it dishonestly?

That’s nothing. Ever quit a job and the boss doesn’t tell payroll? That was a painful call to make. “Hi, uhh… please stop paying me.”

Also, possible the rings are just stuck to the pistons and not sealing properly? seems like it would be plausible if the car was driven on a lot of short trips/ low rpm. especially if it lower miles, seems much more likely then worn out rings.

Did not know that was a thing. I’m guessing the mechanic (dealer) received an oil leak complaint. Found no oil coming out of the engine and ruled out head gasket. That just leaves rings… i guess. The report was that it would be a $5-15 repair or it could run fine for 10 more years.

 

[Curious Hound]

The report was that it would be a $5-15 repair

I'd pay $15 to get it fixed.

 

[Roert42]

Did not know that was a thing. I’m guessing the mechanic (dealer) received an oil leak complaint. Found no oil coming out of the engine and ruled out head gasket. That just leaves rings… i guess. The report was that it would be a $5-15 repair or it could run fine for 10 more years.

The way I understand it is that the pressure from inside the cylinder forces the piston rings to seal against the cylinder wall, which makes the seal. It's possible for the rings to get crusted up with carbon deposits and not be able to seat properly.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It's a volvo.

They should expect weird issues.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I would say fix or disclose issues when selling it. Whatever happens after that is not your concern, there’s a lot of dishonest places out there. In particular there’s one used car lot around here “Caruzin Autohub” who buys totaled vehicles at auction, patches them up on the cheap and sells them on the lot or at auction. I saw one Transit Connect van from them that a good foot or so of the one B pillar was bondo that looked like it had been applied by Edward Scissorhands in the dark. Most of them suddenly have a “clean Carfax, one owner” attached. No idea how that happens, but it’s certainly dishonest. Seen a number of other lots doing similar things. You would be amazed at the number of vehicles I’ve seen with “clean” Carfax that have replaced panels and frame damage. There’s just no stopping dishonesty.