Disclosing damage to a dealer

winnie the schtink

if trading in a car are you obliged to tell them if the car was damaged and repaired or is up to them to check it out,do they as a dealer have any recourse at a later stage?

JoeA3

I'd say it depends on how much damage you're talking about. There's not many cars out there that haven't had minor dings / scrapes touched up and I wouldn't bother mentioning stuff like that.

However if it was extensive damage running into thousands with extensive panel replacement, half the car resprayed, etc, then it would be on my mind! When you trade the car, you do have to check a box and sign off on the fact that the car hasn't been crashed...

CIP4

I can't see why you would tell them if it's been repaired correctly. At the end of the day all they will do is use it as a stick to beat you with drop a few percent of your trade in value and they will then still go on to tell the next buyer it was never crashed and will still charge as much. Take a leaf out of the dealers book and just highlight the good of the car. Anyway they will be able to tell most likely if they inspect the car I've yet to meet a decent mechanic that can't tell if a car has had paint or has been repair and where. But I wouldn't be going saying it to them and making a big deal about it. Obviously if there was something dangerous or badly repair then you should say it.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I'd say it's dependent on the age and value of the car. For example, if it's a 10yr old car worth a few thousand st most then I wouldn't bother but if it's only a few years old then I'd tell them but again that would be dependent on what the actual damage was.

If the damage was repaired through an insurance company then it'll be recorded and can be checked/verified so I would disclose it to the dealer. If it was a small repair paid by yourself or third party then I probably wouldn't bother.

winnie the schtink

thanks for your replies,just for a picture the car is 5 yo value 25/26 k repair bill 13500 nice job on the repair but still

colm_mcm

You will usually need to sign an order form which includes the buy in of your own car. On that it clearly asks that question.

If it were me, I'd say nothing till I collected the new car, then when it came time to sign the form and pay, I'd write in about the repairs on the form.

If the salesman was any good they should have spotted it when they were appraising it.

C.K Dexter Haven

winnie the schtink wrote: »

thanks for your replies,just for a picture the car is 5 yo value 25/26 k repair bill 13500 nice job on the repair but still

The question you might be asked is, "has the car been in an accident?" - I'm being pedantic here, but the inference is a little different than "was your car repaired?" which is what you alluded to in your OP.
I was asked the above question in a recent trade in- I think the concept here, is that at the end of all these questions (including was your car ever used as a taxi), you will sign that form. So, if the next purchaser finds out something about your car, post sale, my understanding is that the garage may come after you in turn- someone with a legal background may be able to clarify the purpose of this form signing.

best of luck with the sale but better to be honest- if i did a cartel check or equivalent, would your car appear within an insurance claim?

winnie the schtink

C.K Dexter Haven wrote: »

The question you might be asked is, "has the car been in an accident?" - I'm being pedantic here, but the inference is a little different than "was your car repaired?" which is what you alluded to in your OP.
I was asked the above question in a recent trade in- I think the concept here, is that at the end of all these questions (including was your car ever used as a taxi), you will sign that form. So, if the next purchaser finds out something about your car, post sale, my understanding is that the garage may come after you in turn- someone with a legal background may be able to clarify the purpose of this form signing.

best of luck with the sale but better to be honest- if i did a cartel check or equivalent, would your car appear within an insurance claim?

yes it should

C.K Dexter Haven

winnie the schtink wrote: »

yes it should

You've answered your own question so.

Cee-Jay-Cee

For that size of repair bill I would definitely disclose it. It could come back and bite you in future if you don't.

Bio Mech

I would declare it for a big one like that. Scrapes and dings speak for themselves but something like that is different. It would be wholly dishonest to hide it IMO. Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable with not disclosing it. Legally or morally.

Del2005

Any half decent sales person will ask the same question that any smart buyer does. Has the car been crashed? As said they'll probably already know since paint rarely matches.

winnie the schtink

BTW its not mine but a friends,the deal is done now and cars exchanged so we will see what happens personally i think they should have said something ,

winnie the schtink

C.K Dexter Haven wrote: »

You've answered your own question so.

is it not normal for a dealer to do a cartell/hpi check?i thought it would be the first thing they would

La Fenetre

winnie the schtink wrote: »

BTW its not mine but a friends,the deal is done now and cars exchanged so we will see what happens personally i think they should have said something ,

Should we believe you winnie ?

C.K Dexter Haven

winnie the schtink wrote: »

is it not normal for a dealer to do a cartell/hpi check?i thought it would be the first thing they would

I imagine it would be too.

But leaving that aside for a minute, what's the purpose of you post, considering that you've admitted that the repair work will show up on an online car check site for your friend?

Is it the legal implications of someone signing a document stating the car hasn't been in an accident, knowing that the car was?

winnie the schtink

La Fenetre wrote: »

Should we believe you winnie ?

no jaysus why would you

La Fenetre

winnie the schtink wrote: »

no jaysus why would you

Just wondering if you're a liar or not.

winnie the schtink

for sure ,my nose is six foot long at this stage