Answers to your car questions

QUESTION

I have been reading your column for years and maybe this is a problem that you may not be able to help me with. My son, who has struggled over the years from being associated with the wrong people, has had his problems but I am trying to get him to turn his life around. He is trying to sell a car that he owns which has many mechanical issues. I have told him that it is not the correct thing to do, to knowingly sell a mechanically unfit car to some unsuspecting buyer. I have told him that I would ask you about the downfall of doing this and he has told me that he does not care what you say or think but he always does read your column. He has a 2012 Dodge car that he wants to sell. The problem is that he knows that the car needs considerable work and he is not going to tell the potential buyer anything about the repairs that are needed.

I would not want my son or daughter to buy this car, not knowing its condition and I do not want my son to do that to some unsuspecting buyer. If I give you my phone number, could you do me a great favour by calling him and setting him straight on what he should and should not do?

Worried mother

ANSWER

You need not to worry about the car that your son wants to sell. I spoke to him and he knows that the car cannot pass a mechanical safety in its present condition. I have told him that, if he sells the car to a potential buyer without the mechanical safety and claims that the car is in good condition knowing that it is not, that this can come back to haunt him with potential legal action. I have told him that he can sell the car “AS IS” and not to say anything else about the condition of the car other than what they can see. That way, the potential buyer is taking the risk and it is up to them to determine if the sale price fits the mechanical condition of the car.

PS: After speaking to your son, I do believe that he is on the right track and that is all because he has the help of a mother who cares.

QUESTION

I took my 2018 car into the dealership as you recommended to have a full brake job done. I was given an estimate of between seven and eight hundred dollars but the final bill was closer to one thousand dollars. I went to the dealership as you recommended even though I was able to get a cheaper price so needless to say, I was very disappointed with the extra cost. I went to the dealership after hours to pick up the car and was presented with the bill from one of the salespeople. I asked him why the extra cost when I was given an estimate. He just shrugged his shoulders and said that he was to collect the money for the work done.

Albert from Burlington

ANSWER

I spoke to the Service Manager who said that he would look into it and get back to me, which he did in about one hour. The extra cost was for two front callipers. One was seized and both had to be replaced as required. I told him that you were concerned because you were given an estimate and the final bill was almost two hundred dollars more. On the work order however, you stated that you would be in a meeting all day and could not be reached. You needed the car for the next day so you told them to do what was necessary so you could pick up the car that night. To complete the job, it did require that both front callipers be replaced. The salesperson should have been a little more empathetic to your concerns but he had a sale in progress and that was his main concern. I would think that by now the service manager has made contact with you to apologize for the reception that you received when you picked up you car but I hope that you are pleased that your next oil change is free.

To my readers: Please indicate the town, city or village that you live in. Be advised that unfortunately not all emails can be answered. Send your questions (including address) by email to: dennis.osullivan665@gmail.com