Sold a used vehicle, now buyer is asking for money back states not worth half the $$$

[Agent240sx]

I recently sold a car to an individual in law enforcement (ouch). He came and checked out the vehicle, we disclosed everything... the car was running in superb condition with minor knicks and dings on the exterior.

We've owned the car for 2 years with NO problems, no odd noises no mechanical or electrical problems.

We sold the car safetied and etested.
Safety was done at Canadian Tire.
During the safety inspected we needed new brakes rotors, pads drums (a maintenance thing I would say after all the car did have 200,000+ km) and a few bulbs needed to be replaced. The repairs were completed and a safety certificate was issued.

The buyer came once checked out the car, we were COMPLETELY honest about the details on the vehicle, the buyer took a test drive was satisfied with the car and wanted to put down a deposit so I wouldn't sell it to anyone else (we have over 4 others that wanted to view the car that day). We really
never wanted to sell the car in the first place my GF worked very hard for her car but due to finances and really we don't have a need for 2 vehicles we are downsizing to one (especially with gas prices so high)

Now fast forward 3 WEEKS LATER....
The new buyer calls me and left me a message says he had his mechanic and bodyshop check and recheck the car informed me that his "people" are telling him there are some accident points on the vehicle, and the passenger door lock mechanism isn't working properly.

This has all come to a shock to us and we immediately checked CARFAX for any records of an accident we DEFINATELY did not get into any accidents both us of have really clean records, and the previous owner did not disclose any information about any accidents.

So now the new owner is wanting money back and is throwing a figure of around $4000! at us. I honestly have a hard time believing the car needs $4000 worth of repairs to get to "road worthy" as the new owner put it and is threatening "formal" action.

I've had the passenger auto doorlock problem before but we replaced the car's old battery and it solved the problem. I also did some research of the problem and it seems VERY common for these cars. The price people are paying are between 200-500 (higher end of spectrum is a dealer repair) for this repair. I guess this problem could have happened at ANYTIME to me or him. The doors lock fine manually.

This car has a market value of $6000-8000+. I called the new owner hoping for some details but both times it went straight to voicemail. We definately wanted both parties to be happy with the entire transaction but apparently not.

So I have a few questions for the RFD community and perhaps you can let me know where I can go from here.

1. Do I have any further legal responsibilities to the new owner? I mean I really want to help the new owner out but I also feel like I'm being had I have no knowledge of any accidents and definately did not get into any.

2. Was it the owners responsibility to ensure the car is fine (and it was fine!) in a transaction that is safety and etested?

3. Is this new owner making stuff up to get money out of me and can he if he decides to take any legal action? (if he can

4. I will continue to call him for the details out of courtesy but if this gets ugly and the new owner seems pretty firm on trying to get money out of us or give us a hard time what would your suggestions be?

Please let me know your thoughts or knowledge on a situation like this.

Thanks

I'd like to add he seems more interested from his messages in getting some $$$ compensation than returning or getting a refund (if he is even entitled)

[carpeter]

You sold it 3 weeks ago he registered and used the car for sometime.
I say if what you are saying is true (ie didnt know the accident issue) I say let him go to the small claims court since he had enough time to do his DD.

The more you call him the more ammunition he will get.

[Amuthini]

he has no rights. just ignore him.

[Anonymouse]

Unless you misrepresented the condition of the car, i.e. told him explicitly there were no accidents, it's buyer beware and he will not win a lawsuit.

[Agent240sx]

I definately did not misrepresented the condition of the car, again we did not get into an accident ever, the previous owner did not state anything to us. Also CARFAX shows the car being problem free.

1 more question I wanted to add, I remember during the transaction we only signed off on the ownership but I do not remember filling in the new owner's information... we did however wrote up 2 identical receipts with the sales information that we both signed (both copies). Can the lack of the new owners information on the ownership transfer be held against us in any way?

Thats if he didn't fill it out already or transfer it into his name, carfax does not state he did yet.

Thanks again RFD

[Agent240sx]

Oh one more thing i'd like to add from the new owner's messages it seems like hes more interested in getting some $$$ compensation than getting a full refund (if he was entitled to one).

That is part of the reason I feel like hes trying to juice us for something or getting the car at a lower price.

[Whitedart]

Oh one more thing i'd like to add from the new owner's messages it seems like hes more interested in getting some $$$ compensation than getting a full refund (if he was entitled to one).

That is part of the reason I feel like hes trying to juice us for something or getting the car at a lower price.

Someone has probably told the buyer they paid too much for the car. Now with buyer remorse, they want the price reduced.

If everything was fully disclosed on your end, and the buyer did not ask to have someone else review the car before purchase, then this is a done deal.

Just to add, if the person works in LE, they should not be using their postion to influence this. If some type of harassment were to develop, a telephone call to a supervisor may be in order.

[vek]

Sounds like you're fine. The buyer only has himself to blame for not doing enough due diligence before the transaction, assuming that there even is anything substantially wrong with the car.

Just tell 'em that he's welcome to take you to court. Once he looks into his rights, he'll give it up. If he keeps harassing you, file a report with the cops.

[bobby5]

There's a reason the phrase "caveat emptor" was invented.

If there's no record on any database, you didn't withhold any info, and the car didn't fall apart when it's driven off, the deal is signed and sealed.
Like other posters mentioned, he can do whatever he fancies. Cease all contacts unless he's pushing his luck.

[JL2002]

Used cars are really a "as-is" deal no matter what test u did on it...There's almost no way to guarantee the car is in pristine condition... He should've checked it with the mechanics first before signing off the deal so no matter what it comes to, the car will be as described.....

[veryhuman]

Unless the mileage didnt change since the sale, who's to say the buyer didnt do the damage himself? Definitely sounds suspicious.

[Code85]

Thats his own fault for not bringing a mechanic with him to do a on spot check, dont let him bully you around because he's in law enforcement. If he keeps harassing you then go to his supervisor.

[angel_wing0]

i say ignore him as well, AS LONG AS you didnt lie to him or misrepresent the car in the first place. There is nothing he can do about it. buyer's remorse is not the seller's fault unless the seller lied or did things in the background.

[TheCheez]

I agree with the majority here. Ignore the guy. Don't speak to him at all, about anything. If he happens to get you on the phone just politely find a way to hang up.

If anything comes of it, lawyer up, he knows the system better than you.

[tsatsa]

Tell him to get lost <nicely>, all private sales are "as is" sale. Unless you give him a warranty on the car.