Private Sale Of Classic Car Advice

[mphJ]

Looking for some advice

So I sold my car to someone yesterday , he viewed a few weeks ago , took him for a drive , seemed happy

Came to collect yesterday, again no problems all seemed happy, this morning I get a text from the son(the guy is Eastern European so he’s English is not great) telling me that the starter motor is playing up

“3 out of 8 starts it chokes and spins too long”

This is not something that ever happened in my ownership

He wants me to get a garage to sort it for him

Firstly as I said this is not something it was doing when I had it

Secondly we both signed a receipt saying “private sale, sold as seen with no warranties”

He also said on text he’s happy with the car other than that issue

Although it was not a fault it had when I had it I’m happy as a gesture to pay for a new starter motor

But I don’t think I want to get involved with getting garages to fix it and picking it up etc

I’m also a bit concerned in future he’ll be texting again saying other things have gone wrong and wanting me to pay ?

It’s a 50 year old American 60’s classic car

Any idea what I should do ?

Thanks for your help

[Catnip64]

It's a private sale so you have no obligation to resolve any issues with the car.
More information here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[swisstoni]

Plenty more experienced than me will comment but imho this is not something you want to get involved in no matter how ‘responsible’ you might feel.

It’s his car now and his problem. If indeed the problem actually exists.

[P100]

As with most older cars they all have a technique to getting them started.
tell him the sequence you use and then goodbye.

[mphJ]

Thanks for the replies

I even have a video of him starting it up and driving it off yesterday when he collected so obviously not a lot wrong with the starter motor

[J1990]

It's always a bit daunting when they know where you live but at the end of the day this is the gamble you take when entering a private purchase, even moreso when it's a classic car and that's why you're not paying the same premium as if you purchased from a dealer.

[anonymous-user]

Where do you draw the line at fixing things for him? Can he just contact you any time there is a problem and you will sort out the issue for him?

Tell him that you want to drive the car and want it for the first week in August. When he replies "But you don't own the car anymore" reply "Exactly....."

[Mr Whippy]

I'd just ignore it.

Who buys an old car like that privately, and then doesn't know about a thing called the "internet"?


They're being a dipst. Engaging them is enabling them to make you a sucker.

[Xcore]

Don’t panic and give in, tell him to do one

[mphJ]

Ok thanks

I guess as said above the only concern is that he has my address but then he didn’t seem like a nasty person or anything

I’m not opposed to buying him a new starter motor just to keep everyone happy but then where does it end

To think of the problems I’ve had with old cars in the past and never complained , even problems on the day I got them, but I accepted they are 50/60 year old cars and they all have quirks etc

[Philv8s]

I think you have answered your own question. It’s an old car, whether his issue is real or not, it’s his problem now. Wish him well and block his number and move on.

[ucb]

Just to check, you have got the cash for the car haven't you?

[mphJ]

Yeah all cleared in bank

Thanks

[OverSteery]

mphJ said:

Yeah all cleared in bank

Thanks

Well that's good news

If I bought a 50 year old classic and the worst I could find was a slightly dickie start motor, I would be delighted!

[mphJ]

Yeah all cleared in bank

Thanks

[hunt123]

politely text him the car is sold as seen, a private sale, and was fine when u sold it to him and u are now not responsible for the car. then if he replies again ignore him, block his number.

[_Bozzy]

Chancers. Tell them to do one.

[georgeyboy12345]

Don’t even reply to him and if he tries calling you, block him.

[mphJ]

Just to add he haggled me down on the asking price initially too

Admittedly I was happy with what I accepted but I did sell it for less than I originally wanted for it

[shtu]

mphJ said:

Looking for some advice

I would ignore it. If you really do feel compelled to reply to him

said:

I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble with your starter motor, here's a link to a cheap replacement.

Personally, I wouldn't engage at all. Odds are it's a try-on for a post-sale discount.