Would you? An ethics dilemma

Poll Poll Would you sell it to the trade?

  • Yes because I don't care

    Votes: 4 23.5%

  • Yes because the trade would do the same thing to me

    Votes: 7 41.2%

  • Yes because money is the most important thing

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • No because it's dishonest

    Votes: 6 35.3%

  • No because they don't deserve that

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    17
Pondy

Pondy

Muppet
 At the summit of the picturesque fens
Would you sell a car to WBAC (we buy any car) knowing there is a serious mechanical issue that won't show until the car is driven more than 10 miles and not disclosing it?
I definitely wouldn't try and sell the car to anyone else, but am having a moral dilemma with WBAC.
 
Call me an arsehole but;

WBAC are a corporate entity, and there's only one reason they're in business; to make money, and ultimately that comes at the expense of those who use their services, eyes open or not. Some people use them because they want to shift a car easily and are happy to take the hit on the sale price, and some are too lazy or naiive to shop around or bother to try and sell their car themselves. Either way it doesn't hugely matter, WBAC will have an algorythm which ensures the valuation offered for their cars at a global level factor in that % of what they buy will have major issues, such that they overall they still hit their target revenue each year.

I wouldn't lose much sleep over WBAC losing out on one car which turns out to have an issue requiring them to put their hand in their pocket before selling it on. For every one of those cars there are probably 100 other cars they make a chunk of money on, and if they don't make their profit targets at year end and the C-suite don't get their fat bonuses, do you particularly care?
 
Yes, I would, but not for the reasons on the poll.

I've got rid of a rubbish Golf, and an RX-8 that needed an engine rebuild to WBAC. Cars that would be worthless on the open market with the issues disclosed, and that I couldn't sell in good faith when hiding the issues.

I didn't feel bad, as anyone buying them at auction from WBAC knows that they're taking a risk, and anyone buying from the dealer that bought them from WBAC gets buyer protection.

Sure, with backstreet dealers they'll try to dispute the seller's rights if the issues come to light, but it's not my job to make sure buyers know their rights.
 
Sorry to be the bore here but I guess it depends if you're into committing fraud really. The car would be worth more without issues and fraud involves deliberately deceiving another party for financial gain.

Its explicitly mentioned in the terms and conditions that you'd sign when selling to them.

WBAC said:
(iv) you have disclosed to us all matters which a prudent purchaser would want to know about, such as physical defects in the Car (e.g. if it has any material mechanical problems or damage);

In the event that we discover (at any time) that any of the above representations are (or are likely to be) inaccurate, untrue or false then we reserve the right (at our sole discretion) to:

(a) request any documentation or information we deem necessary to determine whether the above representations are untrue or false; and/or

(b) withdraw any offer to buy the Car with immediate effect; and/or

(c) to rescind any Contract with immediate effect; and/or

(d) (where appropriate) seek damages from you.

So, take your chances if you like but FWIW they do go after people to claw money back, though generally only on higher value cars.
Pretty sure a code read is part of their buying process, if they can see a recent reset that may well be a flag to them so you might want to bear that in mind.
 
If it was a local garage selling a few cars a year then no but we wbac are rip off merchants so yes.
 
I’ve sold to WBAC and Motorway and had a better deal than I would have got privately BUT they were mainstream small cars 3 and 5 yrs old,
They would be OK for a G29 too, but not for an E85, most cars that are part exchanged go to auction only a few of the best are retailed by the dealer. BMW do advertise for good recent S/H cars to retail, most private buyers want finance and a warranty, at £20k plus if I’m buying private I want it a good deal less than retail to cover any risk.
 
TomK said:
WBAC said:
(iv) you have disclosed to us all matters which a prudent purchaser would want to know about, such as physical defects in the Car (e.g. if it has any material mechanical problems or damage);

In the event that we discover (at any time) that any of the above representations are (or are likely to be) inaccurate, untrue or false then we reserve the right (at our sole discretion) to:

(a) request any documentation or information we deem necessary to determine whether the above representations are untrue or false; and/or

(b) withdraw any offer to buy the Car with immediate effect; and/or

(c) to rescind any Contract with immediate effect; and/or

(d) (where appropriate) seek damages from you.

So, take your chances if you like but FWIW they do go after people to claw money back, though generally only on higher value cars.
Pretty sure a code read is part of their buying process, if they can see a recent reset that may well be a flag to them so you might want to bear that in mind.
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The issue is something that could happen at any time, without warning. It doesn't flag a code, either. No codes have been reset.
 
Since there is a world of cars punted off into auction because they're unfixable after they've been PXd because Doris is worried it's making funny noises, I don't see selling to WBAH as any difference. They'll have their business model calculated to take odd losses and, if they have a selling arm, they'll have all the necessary warrantee policies in place.

However, IMO, "serious mechanical issue" and "only shows up after 10 miles" are mutually exclusive. A serious mechanical issue - broken suspension arm, chronic rust, blue smoke, it's a cut'n'shut[1] - is present at all times. I know you're avoiding spelling it out, but it doesn't sound that serious (go on, give us a hint.) And, if its got a legit MoT how bad can it be?


[1] Whatever happened to them!
 
WBAC are owned by British Car Auctions so they send 99% of their buy in's straight there. From my experience of BCA its mostly trade buyers these days.
I have sold two cars to WBAC, they can spend as long as they want looking at them to find any faults. On both of my cars (an ancient 2.2 Z4 and a nice TDCi Focus Titanium they didn't even start the engine. Bodywork and wheels were all they were interested in.
 
smorris_12 said:
I know you're avoiding spelling it out, but it doesn't sound that serious (go on, give us a hint.) And, if its got a legit MoT how bad can it be?
Click to expand...
It has a huge coolant leak post thermostat, so when it opens it dumps coolant and overheats almost instantly. I can't find the leak and don't care anymore. It is WBAC or scrap, I've had enough of the bloody thing.

It is a shame, as the rest of the car is good; low miles, FSH, loads spent in the past couple of years, etc. I just want it gone, as I have come to loathe it.
 
Pondrew said:
It has a huge coolant leak post thermostat, so when it opens it dumps coolant and overheats almost instantly. I can't find the leak and don't care anymore. It is WBAC or scrap, I've had enough of the bloody thing.

It is a shame, as the rest of the car is good; low miles, FSH, loads spent in the past couple of years, etc. I just want it gone, as I have come to loathe it.
Click to expand...
So you'd need to drive it to them. Park up until it gets cold, then nip it round the corner to deliver it.
 
Pondrew said:
It has a huge coolant leak post thermostat, so when it opens it dumps coolant and overheats almost instantly. I can't find the leak and don't care anymore. It is WBAC or scrap, I've had enough of the bloody thing.

It is a shame, as the rest of the car is good; low miles, FSH, loads spent in the past couple of years, etc. I just want it gone, as I have come to loathe it.
Click to expand...
The mini?
 
enuff_zed said:
So you'd need to drive it to them. Park up until it gets cold, then nip it round the corner to deliver it.
Click to expand...
The WBAC portakabin is about 300 yards from my house, so it won't be a problem. I've already thought of that. It has coolant and drives fine, until the stat opens.
 
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