Overhaulin'

A car I sold, blew up on the buyer a few days later.?

I sold my 73 bug to buyer a few weeks ago. In my for sale add, I said to take to a mechanic or bring to a mechanic. The buyer drove the car around the block and after that purchased the vehicle. He called me a a few days later and stated the cars engine had a loud knocking noise and that the engine eventually blew. He wants me to help out or split the cost of a new engine which is $2000. I was asking $2700 for the car and sold it to him for $2100 because I needed the money for school and a credit card bill. I REALLY feel for the guy and I feel terrible that it happened but half of me feels like I shouldn't need to pay because he did not take it to a mechanic nor did he test drive it for more than 2 min before his purchase, and I knocked off over $600. I'm an honest guy and am in a HUGE moral dilemma because I do not have the extra funds to dump that kind of money into a car I already lost $600 on. I just need some advice please.

Public Comments

1. It's a 30 year old car, & you told him it needed looked at - What more could you have done ?? Nothing, You're okay. .......
2. There is no moral dilemma unless you knew the engine was going to blow and if that was the case, you wouldn't be asking. You have ZERO legal or moral obligation to the buyer. Certainly not for HALF the cost of a NEW engine. Every other part on it is very used. He could get a motor at a junkyard for far less than $2000. The other thing is, if this car would have lasted 20 years, the buyer wouldn't come back & give you extra money. Don't even think about it again. You didn't & couldn't have known and the buyer chose not to have it checked out. Even if he did, theres no guarantee a mechanic would have predicted it.
3. It's his own fault. He should have inspected it closer instead of buying it on impluse. Also, he might have done something that might have messed the car up. Tell him all sells are final.
4. Good thing I saw your question! I own a small used car dealership and customers have issues all the time. In your case YOU DO NOT DO ANYHTING! You do not owe this person anything. You sold him the car, you did not go partners on the car so why would you help him financially to fix it? By law every used car sold by an individual (not a business) may have mechanical defects, the buyer is responsible for the vehicle purchased and all future repairs. You informed him he might want to take it to a mechanic which by not doing, he refused. You do not have to do anything. The fact that you would even consider helping him financially to fix the car after you sold it is a little shocking. Honestly, worst case scenario he takes you to court and he still doesnt get anything because he doesn't have a case. Save your money and pay you bills.
5. he can sue you based on what was said at the time of the sale. did your add say runs good, low mileage or other things like that........... these are call deception in a sale and can be held up in court
6. Sucks to be him. Private party used car sales are "as is" transactions. It was his car when it "blew up", now it's his problem, not yours. You have no obligation to the buyer.
7. 1 and Most Importantly - Because This Happens to Private Sellers and Dealers - Many times people will give you a story and ask for some kind of compensation WHEN NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. 50% Chance He's Scamming You . . . . or . . . . #2 His complaint is legit. You Are Obligated to Do Absolutely Nothing. All private sales are as-is. And Stuff Happens. That's why cars are sold as-is. It's almost 40 years old. Don't feel bad. And don't return the money. Chances are you need it much more than him.