irritating problems and issues on a used car for sale

[brages]

The last few cars I've bought have all had almost (IMO) unlivable minor issues with when when I bought them. Stuff that I immediately did something about before putting the car into regular service:

2010 Prius: bad wheel bearing, impotent wiper motor
2019 Accord: really bad wheel bearing
2015 Prius: extremely dim headlights due to corrosion of the reflector

I fixed each one of these problems for $100 or less and not a whole lot of time.

In each case, the seller seemed completely oblivious to the issue.

The ultimate unlivable minor issue - to me - is the failed window regulator. With the availability of youtube and amazon, it's generally neither an expensive or difficult fix, but I see people driving around with duct tape on their windows to keep them from falling down. Non-working A/C is something I am not willing to live with, but it can be an expensive fix, so I understand if others are willing to deal with its failure.

To be honest - and maybe this is another topic - I have a small obsession with the idea that every thing in my car should work correctly. I try to fix every minor problem when anything breaks. If a cupholder breaks or an interior trim piece falls off, I'll try to pick up one at the junkyard. I suppose this is the key to keeping cars to very high mileages. Most people get rid of cars because they are tired of them and what they get tired of most of all is living with the stuff that isn't right.

How about you? Have you bought a car with a problem that made you think, "I can't believe they have been driving it like that - I will have to fix that IMMEDIATELY!" ?

 

[KGMtech]

You are not alone in your expectation of full functionality. The possible explanation of these used cars is the item you fixed was their last straw, or when the decision was finalized. Human nature? People like us, and I'm much like you, we are not able to cut bait when we should. I think we do humanity a very big favor by ensuring our cars are 100% safe so that we don't provoke an accident due to a failure.

 

[I<3oil]

Most people don't care.

 

[joekingcorvette]

I believe a lot of people just cannot afford to fix those minor problems. Some people live paycheck to paycheck and they have a problem making the correct choices in life. I bought a boat one time and it ran terribly and I found out all it needed was a coil. I purchased it without running it however it was a relative's boat. The problem may have started when I ran it the first time.

 

[pudge]

one thing i see i see way too many times is a bumper cover duct taped on, somehow, I don't think that's safe

 

[AZjeff]

Don't care, don't have the money, don't have DIY ability. Take your pick. 99.9% of owners don't have the ability or tools to replace a window regulator or wheel bearing.

I'm in the process of getting the Jeep ready to sell, not only will it be 100% functional (normal state) it will be spotless as well.

 

[Prison_Mike]

The last few cars I've bought have all had almost (IMO) unlivable minor issues with when when I bought them. Stuff that I immediately did something about before putting the car into regular service:

2010 Prius: bad wheel bearing, impotent wiper motor
2019 Accord: really bad wheel bearing
2015 Prius: extremely dim headlights due to corrosion of the reflector

I fixed each one of these problems for $100 or less and not a whole lot of time.

In each case, the seller seemed completely oblivious to the issue.

I think we'd be terrified to learn just how many people on the road don't care about a lick of maintenance on their vehicles as long as they can get from point A to point B. Safety inspections aren't a joke. They're there to let you know about issues that you WILL have if you keep driving the vehicle.

 

[fantastic]

The 2008 XC90 purchase I made in 2023

A/C didn't work, I told the mechanic to replace the A/C compressor control valve. Said they wouldn't warranty the work since I bought the valve from FCP Euro. Told them to change it & it's been working ever since.

I go through every manual mentioned fuses & relays. It was missing several of the A/C fuses & had a hacked "Jumper wire". Yep, probably to try & "Solve" the Air conditioner issue above. It wasn't the problem.

Had a real bad grinding noise in the engine bay. I stumbled across one single video on YT that helped me narrow it down. It was an upper engine mount. I replaced in the garage.

Leaking brake fluid out of the pump gear that's mounted to the engine. I ordered a $15 kit to reseal it all up in the garage.

It had new tires but it's already eaten through them after 29k. Just bought 4 new tires with "65k" warranty. I plan on rotating/balancing every 5k since it did that to prior tires. The TPMS was always flashing when I bought this thing. I knew I was going to put new ones on but wanted to wait until I needed new tires. When I got the new rubber, new Tire sensors went in at WalMart service center.

The "Euro" repair shop the previous owner took it to used the cheapo 30k mile rated spark plugs. This CUV requires the expensive Iridium plugs so I get it. It was on their dime & at least they replaced them? Glass half full?
I bought some brand new Iridium NGK plugs & some Beck Arnley ignition coils I put in while I was replacing the plugs in the garage.

I noticed the antifreeze color looked very identical to a dexcool (reddish orange). That was not correct! I needed the Euro blue antifreeze. Sent it into a local repair shop where they ended up using coolant they bought for it. It was correct BUT I'd told them to use the stuff in the seat before. Oh well, I returned the coolant for a refund.. it worked out.

New gas cap since the other one lost its tether & had nowhere to mount it while re-fueling.

All of the regular maintenance stuff (filters etc.)

The previous owner had this vehicle for a very short time but did put a lot of money into it. There was both control arms replaced, PVC gasket replaced & some other minor stuff. This has been a very good daily machine for are current family of 5.

It does need a new serpentine belt. I've been limping it along with belt dressing. It's original & almost 150k miles its showing plenty of cracks. I did see another one of these vehicles that made it over 225k before the belt broke so maybe I can buy myself more time? This engine has it's accessories PS, Alt, etc above the transmission side of the engine. Along with a READ system that I frankly don't want to do myself BUT I'm trying to learn what I need so I can tell the repair shop what is needed while they're in there.

Too many times I've been looked at like I don't know anything by many repair shops over the years. It's a frustrating experience every time. The one thing they don't admit is they don't know some things you do about your vehicle. Previous experiences where I told them to replace a certain part & they thought it was something different, against my better judgement allowed the repair only to find out I'm stranded again 1/4 mile down the road..ha!

Owning older used equipment is not for the faint of heart & takes some learning to protect yourself or your wallet. Many folks want reliable transportation (don't we all) but lack the time, skills, or desire to get their vehicles in & a "New to them" vehicle gets appealing. Problem is when buying used & higher mileage it's going to need the same stuff done. It's often cheaper to repair than re-buy another vehicle but like I mentioned, folks want just to get to their daily jobs etc.

Have you seen the sale adds that drive me nuts? Dealers state just how perfect the vehicle is. This isn't really a problem if it's just a few years old with <50k or so but all of the others they make them sound so appealing. Caution & awareness is required when buying but it's still not a failsafe. I don't like the buying process b/c it's such a gamble but I've done it for so long now.

Anyways, You all already know this stuff.
Just sharing my recent experience & after 40+ vehicles it's expected on how I buy.

 

[Urshurak776]

Sometimes it's money (Even a $100 is a lot to some people.)

My sons rear driver side regulator failed in his Santa Fe. Found a used one for $160 or so. New was nearly $600.....

The job was, not easy. It was challenging. Most people wouldn't have done it themselves (I know we here on BITOG would, at least a lot of us.)

 

[dogememe]

Sometimes it's money (Even a $100 is a lot to some people.)

My sons rear driver side regulator failed in his Santa Fe. Found a used one for $160 or so. New was nearly $600.....

The job was, not easy. It was challenging. Most people wouldn't have done it themselves (I know we here on BITOG would, at least a lot of us.)

I guess it depends on the car. When the window regulator went out in my Volt I got the OEM part for like… $150? (Don’t exactly remember, was a while ago). Ordered it through the dealers parts portal and picked it up the next day. My coworker installed the part in under 15 minutes so I gave him a few bucks and bought him lunch.

But window motors and regulators for some cars are oddly expensive even though they’re all pretty much the same concept!

 

[Hall]

None of these repairs are $100 or less for someone that can't DIY. I know this is shocking, but not everyone can do their own car repairs (or replace a toilet fill/flush valve or replace an electric outlet). This has to stop being the standard.

Replacing a wheel bearing will be $400+ at a shop, I'll bet you. Replacing a rusted headlight reflector involves removing the front bumper cover on most modern cars, I'm guessing. If the window regulator on my G35 failed, especially one of the rears, a) I probably would never realize it and b) depending on the cost of the part and the labor, I might not fix this !

 

[CleanSump]

Timely subject because I'm getting a Mercedes ready to sell and I'm putting a new battery in it today. Tires are only 1/4 way into their life or they'd be a selling point too. Everything will be working because that is how I keep them during my ownership. Only one that needed a major repair I scrapped.

 

[Hohn]

I believe a lot of people just cannot afford to fix those minor problems. Some people live paycheck to paycheck and they have a problem making the correct choices in life. I bought a boat one time and it ran terribly and I found out all it needed was a coil. I purchased it without running it however it was a relative's boat. The problem may have started when I ran it the first time.

I think this is true. But even then, they're living paycheck to paycheck because they've chosen to do so, even if they didn't realize they did.

I remember once a woman came up to me at a gas station to beg for a fillup to she ostensibly could take her dad to the hospital. She was heavily tatooed.

As I pumped gas for her, I struck up a conversation.

"Nice tattoos-- was it expensive?"


"A friend did it for me and it only cost me $500 instead of over a thousand."


"Hmm, I bet that would buy a tank of gas and then some."

 

[SC Maintenance]

I am the same as you, but most people wouldn't dream of fixing a car themselves. They go to a shop, who tells them the OEM window regulator is $300 + $200 labor, and it also needs headlight fluid or some other wallet flush, and they don't have the extra $1000 so they get out the duct tape, drive for a while, then dump it.

 

[doitmyself]

Some decades ago I was immersed with a young family, workplace challenges, and life challenges in general. I let quicky lubes do my oil changes on our mini van. When I went to sell that van, the purchaser pointed out steel cords exposed on one of the tires. Yikes, how did that evolve?

Even the best of us sometimes get over whelmed by life. I try (difficult) to not judge others. On the other hand, people with excessive OCD that get upset with a fingerprint on a window lead troubled lives in the opposite direction of vehicle care taking.

 

[K-Man]

One thing I would say is at least as bad: someone selling a used vehicle who admits it has a major problem requiring expensive work, but wants the same $ amount for the vehicle as if it didn't need the work.

When I was looking for a used Ranger pickup several years ago, a few for sale by owners with the 4.0 V-6 had on the "for sale" sign the words, "Overheats, needs head gasket". That repair on that engine is $$$. The owners still wanted full price for the trucks. Right.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

Same here. I would (when I still could) never allow one broken thing to remain on any of my vehicles. I did the same to all the family members cars I maintained. Matter of fact my two sons cringe when they drive here to visit because they know the old man at some point will be found outside doing a vehicle inspection to point out anything I see to be taken care of. Oldest one is not a DIYer but the youngest one took after me. I think there are several reasons people treat things the way they do today. I fear the majority of young men grew up at a great disadvantage many of us older did not. Most of us grew up at a time of great numbers of hands on factory jobs across the USA. Places where one almost always had to learn how to do things for yourself. There were so many men around who had mechanical knowledge from working those jobs and still at a time when many young men were into muscle cars and working on things. You have so many of those type men in neighborhoods that any young man with drive could learn from them who were glad to teach. I know a lot were not lucky to grow up in those times or places.

Also there was no way back then to grow up after getting out of school to lay with your bottom attached to the sofa playing video games etc... and still have a roof over one's head and eat or have an iPad or iPhone , credit cards and even cars while not holding down a job. How people have credit cards these days without jobs is beyond me!? THAT stuff and the reason can not be discussed here.

But it contributes to grown folks who do not know how to fix a things. Even as someone mentioned there are grown men who have to call a plumber for a simple toilet repair. I dare to say those men are not going to be doing much auto repair. Lucky if the can replace a flat tire these days. I am sad about this and it is truly a shame. Sorry- Boomer Rant #897

 

[SC Maintenance]

One thing I would say is at least as bad: someone selling a used vehicle who admits it has a major problem requiring expensive work, but wants the same $ amount for the vehicle as if it didn't need the work.

When I was looking for a used Ranger pickup several years ago, a few for sale by owners with the 4.0 V-6 had on the "for sale" sign the words, "Overheats, needs head gasket". That repair on that engine is $$$. The owners still wanted full price for the trucks. Right.

I found that with mainstream dealers. We looked at a well used car at the local AutoNation. It had a giant dent in one front fender. They did not show that angle in the pictures. They were asking in the high end of book, the car otherwise was not perfect either.

Possibly that was a point to be negotiated. I just left.

 

[doitmyself]

But it contributes to grown folks who do not know how to fix a things. Even as someone mentioned there are grown men who have to call a plumber for a simple toilet repair. I dare to say those men are not going to be doing much auto repair. Lucky if the can replace a flat tire these days. I am sad about this and it is truly a shame. Sorry- Boomer Rant #897

I USED to have that opinion. I work with a lot of Phd researchers that would ask me to change their lawn mower spark plug. Really?????

They would get back to their work analyzing stats and high level projects (something I cannot do) at double/triple my salary.

I stopped judging them. But yes, being self reliant is a valuable skill.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

The last few cars I've bought have all had almost (IMO) unlivable minor issues with when when I bought them. Stuff that I immediately did something about before putting the car into regular service:

2010 Prius: bad wheel bearing, impotent wiper motor
2019 Accord: really bad wheel bearing
2015 Prius: extremely dim headlights due to corrosion of the reflector

I fixed each one of these problems for $100 or less and not a whole lot of time.

In each case, the seller seemed completely oblivious to the issue.

The ultimate unlivable minor issue - to me - is the failed window regulator. With the availability of youtube and amazon, it's generally neither an expensive or difficult fix, but I see people driving around with duct tape on their windows to keep them from falling down. Non-working A/C is something I am not willing to live with, but it can be an expensive fix, so I understand if others are willing to deal with its failure.

To be honest - and maybe this is another topic - I have a small obsession with the idea that every thing in my car should work correctly. I try to fix every minor problem when anything breaks. If a cupholder breaks or an interior trim piece falls off, I'll try to pick up one at the junkyard. I suppose this is the key to keeping cars to very high mileages. Most people get rid of cars because they are tired of them and what they get tired of most of all is living with the stuff that isn't right.

How about you? Have you bought a car with a problem that made you think, "I can't believe they have been driving it like that - I will have to fix that IMMEDIATELY!" ?

Imagine you had to pay someone to fix these things.

I hate it when things are right with my car. For a few years out of college when I was living in Houston I had a Limited Wagoneer which had a transmission problem and a vacuum problem on the AC (Accelerate A/C out defrost vents, coasting A/C out front vents). The valve body on the transmission was really worn because I overloaded it pulling a trailer from home to college. It was a miserable existence. Never again if I can help it.