Selling car privately - Do I need to mention anything?

stoofa

stoofa

stoofa

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I've never sold a car privately.
My very earliest cars were scrapped and all my later ones have either involved WBAC or trade-in.

Do I need to mention anything in a car advert and/or when someone comes to take a look at it?
Or can I literally just advertise:
Car for sale - VW xxxxxx - £Amount I want

Then when anyone comes to look at it I just remain silent?

We're looking to sell my wife's car within the next few months. Generally it's OK for a 2008 vehicle. Mileage is low for the year (70k) and the body work not too bad (anyone taking a look will see the two ickle dents).
The actual issues are:

Heater seems to either be freezing cold or scorching hot. No amount of playing with settings, turning AC on/off can we get a temperature between
It's a 3-door and the driver side seat isn't folding forward correctly
Central locking (key - hasn't got remote) is temperamental. One day it'll be fine, others she'll lock drivers door and then I'll have to manually lock passenger (unlocking is always fine)

WBAC say £1700 - but I assume they base that on some museum piece and despite it being 15 years or so old, they will knock that down.
I think it'll be a perfect first car for someone, and want to try and get at least £2k

I know if I advertise it as "perfect" or stupid like "heating and central locking works perfectly" I'd be in trouble.
But can I legally mention none of the issues (unless I was specifically asked about one of those areas) and it's still caveat emptor?
 
Any known issues should be discussed with any potential buyer.

Would you be happy to buy a car with issues that the seller kept hidden from you?
 
Any known issues (beyond wear and tear) must be declared. That is unless you aren't advertising it as a working car. Most buyers will (and should) also point blank ask you of any known issues.
 
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What others have said, any issues that would've otherwise made a buyer walk away has to be mentioned.
It's still caveat emptor, and in court, they'll have to prove you knew about the issue
 
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I'm fairly sure as a private seller you don't legally have to disclose any faults (although not doing so makes you a bit of a **** IMO).

However consider the fact an advert with no detail is likely to put buyers off; potentially more than one which does mention the faults (as anyone with an ounce of common sense will know you're trying to hide something).

If - as you've posted - they're relatively minor issues which a) don't really affect the actual running of the car, and b) may be a cheap fix for someone willing to get their hands dirty, then personally I'd mention them.

Also consider that they're probably the kind of thing someone is going to notice if they do anything more than a cursory inspection/test drive. You're potentially wasting your own time (and of course theirs) by not mentioning these obvious faults up front and they walk away because of them.
 
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I guess i am a mug but i believe in being honest - but still caveat emptor of course . I would never sell a car privately i knew had issues without making the buyer aware of it and (naively) expect a seller to be the same to me.
 
Have you tried motorway to get a price comparison?

Going through same process at the moment as need to sell a 2008 freelander 2 we’ve just replaced with new car yesterday. WBAC stating £900, but motorway just over double that as a guide and not far off private sales really. I’m in same boat as need to declare rear wheel bearing that (I think is issue and great comedy timing!) just failed last week before the new car arrived.
 
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