Buyer demands repair money after the sale – what should you do?

One of the most unpleasant situations for a seller is when the buyer contacts them days or weeks after the transaction and reports a serious mechanical problem.

The complaint may involve the engine, gearbox, turbocharger, electronics or another expensive component. Sometimes the buyer immediately demands that the former owner pay all or part of the repair costs.

Such a demand does not automatically mean that the buyer is trying to scam the seller. A used vehicle may genuinely have had a defect that already existed at the time of sale but was not apparent during an ordinary inspection.

At the same time, every failure that appears after the sale does not automatically become the seller's responsibility. The vehicle's condition at the time of the transaction, what both parties knew, their correspondence and the contents of the contract all matter.

In simplified terms, a hidden defect is a problem that already existed when the vehicle was handed over but could not reasonably have been detected by the buyer during an ordinary inspection.

For example, a car may look and drive normally during a test drive even though a serious technical problem had already begun developing before the transaction.

A crucial distinction is whether the defect existed at the time of sale or appeared later because of use, normal wear, an accident or another cause.

It also matters whether the buyer was informed about the issue before purchasing the vehicle. A defect that was disclosed and recorded in the contract or correspondence is different from a significant problem that remained unknown to the buyer.

A used vehicle must be evaluated in light of its age, mileage and normal wear. A 15-year-old car with 250,000 kilometres cannot reasonably be expected to be in the same condition as an almost-new vehicle.

Wear items, cosmetic defects and age-related risks may simply form part of the normal condition of a used car.

Therefore, the mere fact that a component failed after the purchase does not by itself prove that the seller concealed a defect or breached the agreement.

Any dispute should consider the specific vehicle, its age, mileage, sale price, service history, described condition and when and why the failure occurred.

One of the best ways to reduce the risk of a later dispute is to document the vehicle's condition as accurately as possible before the transaction.

If you know that the air conditioning does not work, the engine consumes oil, the body is damaged or the gearbox behaves unusually in certain situations, tell the buyer clearly.

Significant defects should ideally be written into the sales contract or at least preserved in correspondence. It can be difficult later to prove what was said only verbally.

It is also sensible to keep the advertisement, photographs, service documents and correspondence with the buyer.

Your first response should be neither immediate payment nor complete silence. Start by requesting precise information.

Ask the buyer to describe the problem, when it appeared, where the vehicle was inspected and what diagnosis was made.

If the demand involves an expensive repair, request written diagnostics or documentation from the workshop. A phone statement that 'the engine is dead' is not enough information on its own.

Do not automatically admit responsibility before the circumstances are clear. Likewise, do not make a quick payment merely to end an uncomfortable conversation.

Sometimes an ordinary technical dispute can turn into aggressive pressure. The buyer may demand immediate payment, threaten legal action or claim that the seller has only a few hours to decide.

Mentioning court proceedings does not in itself amount to extortion. A person is entitled to defend their rights through lawful procedures.

The situation becomes more concerning when the purpose of the communication appears to be frightening the seller into making a rapid payment rather than genuinely resolving the technical issue.

If the communication becomes threatening, preserve the messages and correspondence. Seek legal advice if necessary, and contact the police if there are direct threats.

It is important to identify who the other party to the transaction was. A vehicle sold from one private individual to another is not the same situation as a consumer purchase from a dealership or other business.

Disputes between private individuals are generally not handled as ordinary consumer disputes, and if the parties cannot reach agreement the matter may ultimately need to be resolved in court.

That makes a written contract and preserved evidence especially important. A later dispute may depend heavily on what each side can prove about the transaction and the vehicle's condition.

The sales contract should record at least the vehicle details, sale price, odometer reading and the vehicle's known condition.

Document known significant defects and any other conditions agreed with the buyer.

Take photographs or video of the vehicle before handing it over, particularly if there is visible damage.

Keep the original advertisement and correspondence with the buyer after the transaction.

The more clearly the vehicle's condition is documented at the time of sale, the less room there is later for disagreement about what the buyer knew or what was promised.