The motor trade is never short of surprises, and yesterday was no exception. It was my turn to face a challenge on a well-known sell-my-car-to-a-dealer platform. The experience highlighted the hurdles we, as professionals, often face when dealing with less-than-honest sellers and how these encounters impact our time and resources.

The Preparation: Setting Expectations

Before I visit any seller, I always follow a clear process to avoid surprises:

• I call the seller to explain the inspection process.
• I make it clear that I’m a motor trade professional and will thoroughly check the vehicle to ensure it matches the description.
• I ask direct questions about the vehicle:
  • Are there any faults or issues I need to know about?
  • Has a mechanic identified any problems?
  • Are there signs of pets or smoking in the car?

The seller assured me everything was “fine.” Unfortunately, this was far from the truth.

The Reality: Discovering the Issues

When I arrived on collection day, the vehicle inspection revealed several significant issues, despite the seller’s claims:

1. Dog Hair and Odour:
   The boot was covered in dog hair and mud, with a strong doggy smell throughout the interior. The seller insisted, “it had a dog in once.” Right! Resolving this meant a £150 bill for a full detail and carpet wash.
2. Faulty Climate Control:
   The climate control system was switched off, seemingly to hide a fault. Once tested, it became evident that it wasn’t working, requiring another £100 for repairs.
3. Engine Management Light and Clogged DPF:
   The engine management light had been silenced, masking a clogged Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). Thankfully, this could be resolved in-house.
4. Oil Leak:
   Despite being assured, “it doesn’t drop any oil,” the car left a slick of oil wherever it stopped. Fixing the leak came with an additional £350 cost.

The Frustration of Dishonesty

While none of these issues were insurmountable, they were infuriating. It’s not the cost alone but the dishonesty and blatant attempt to waste time that’s most frustrating. Sellers who knowingly hide problems forget that dealers aren’t amateurs—we inspect vehicles thoroughly to protect our businesses.

A Call for Change: Holding Sellers Accountable

This experience has led me to wonder: shouldn’t dealers have a feedback system on these platforms? A way to report dishonest sellers, backed by evidence, so they can face consequences for their actions?

If sellers knowingly misrepresent their vehicles, they should be barred from these platforms. The evidence—photos, inspection reports, and receipts for repairs—should be enough to hold them accountable. Otherwise, these platforms become dumping grounds for poorly maintained vehicles that sellers can’t offload elsewhere.

Lessons for Sellers

To avoid situations like this, sellers should:

1. Be honest about the condition of their vehicle.
2. Disclose known issues upfront—it’s better than wasting everyone’s time.
3. Understand that dealers will inspect the car thoroughly.

Closing Thoughts

While this experience was frustrating, it serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency in the car trade. Platforms that connect sellers and dealers should take greater responsibility to ensure integrity on both sides. A simple feedback system could save dealers hours of wasted time and ensure sellers take better care of their vehicles.

To sellers: honesty goes a long way. And to fellow dealers: keep up the good fight—we see through the tricks, and we’ll always protect our time and resources.