'We were transparent': Couple sells “untrustworthy” car to coworker for $3,000 in $200 monthly installments, with full disclosure of its history and no warranty, engine fails six weeks later, she demands returning it, but couple claims the sale was final

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Oct 26, 2025 7:00 AM EDT

If someone explains to you all the potential risks that come with a purchase, and with your luck, they all come true…can you really blame them for buying it anyway? This woman desperately needed a car, and thought she hit the golden jackpot when she discovered her coworker was selling theirs! They did disclose quite a few red flags regarding the car's 'painful tendencies.' However, their offer of $200 monthly installments was just too attractive to pass on! So both she and her coworker signed the papers, on which it was boldly highlighted: no warranties or guarantees expressed or implied.

But just as she took that leap of faith, things started to take a turn for the worse…The engine failed after six weeks, and according to their agreement, no returns are allowed. Eish, that's going to teach you to pick out your cars like you would your boyfriends - make sure they're reliable, strong, and trustworthy, because next thing you know, they're left stranded in the middle of nowhere, with no cellphone reception and a lot less money in the bank! 

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  • This couple was generous enough to give major warnings about the car's challenges and still granted her an installment option. She knew the risks, yet she still bought the car anyway (partially, at least). So does she have the right to demand they take the vehicle back, standing on the claim she was unaware of its issues…? The document was signed and sealed, so she's going to have to think of another way to get her money's worth!

  • 01
    Worried woman analyzing her car's engine.
    via viktorcapphotos

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    AITAH for not allowing the “return” of a car I sold now that it has broken down?

    I sold a vehicle to one of my partners coworkers. We were very clear that a lot of work has been done on the car and that although at this time we knew of nothing wrong with the vehicle we were selling it because we didn't want to deal with it any more.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 03
    This was repeated to them several times, "we don't know of anything wrong, but we do not trust it." After a test drive the coworker was confident they wanted it.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 04
    So we wrote up a bill of Sale stating the terms of the sale; $3000 total paid in installments of $200 per month.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 05
    And a statement that "this sale is final and the vehicle is sold as is, with no warranties or guarantees expressed or implied" seller and buyer singed the bill of sale and to make the registration and insurance process easier for her I signed over the title.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 06
    Woman signing a document.
    via gettyimages

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 07
    That was 6 weeks ago. The vehicle is now broken down, "internal catastrophic failure and needs a new engine.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 08
    The crank shaft and bearings have gone out." She is now asking that we take the car back and donate it/junk it.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 09
    They will just sign it back over and we can do what we want with it.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 10
    It is currently about 2 hours from where we live. I do not feel it is my responsibility to fix this problem for her, but I do feel really bad it broke down.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 11
    She is now accusing my partner of taking advantage of her and saying that we never told her anything could be wrong with it.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 12
    Woman making a phone call after having her car break down.
    via viktorcapphotos

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 13
    This car has been a pain in my side since I purchased it for around $10,000 in 2020.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 14
    It has had several mechanical issues that we have fixed. All in all probably putting about another $5000 into the vehicle, a lot of that very recently.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 15
    A list of the things that have been replaced on it includes the battery, Alternator, Drive belt, Spark plugs, Ignition coils, Brake pads/rotors, Cam was refurbished, Valve cover gaskets, Oil/ oil filter, PCV valve, and Oil pressure sensor.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 16
    Also there was fix done by our original dealership after jiffy lube failed to put oil back in the car after an oil change.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 17
    Again we were absolutely transparent about all of this and that we hoped nothing would go wrong but couldn't promise anything.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 18
    So, AITAH for refusing to allow her to return the now broken car | sold in working condition that is hours away from my home?
    via throwaway8976756
  • 19
    Couple shrugging while looking at a document.
    via gettyimages

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 20
    Any idea for compromises? | can't afford to give away thousands of dollars, but I've been in hard situations with cars before and know what it feels like.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 21
    oldas it NTA, but you fucked up letting them make payments. This was always going to be the outcome when they haven't paid you in full. Whether you take the car back or not, you're not seeing another dime.
    via oldas**t
  • 22
    throwaway8976756 OP As far as I knew it was running fine, i had been driving it for weeks since the last fix. I just didn't trust it because of how much trouble we have had with it. KBB is between $4700 and. $3200.
    via throwaway8976756
  • 23
    wesmorgan1 They signed a bill of sale acknowledging an "as is" sale. They hold the title to the vehicle. They owe you $3000. NTA.
    via wesmorgan1
  • 24
    Altruistic-Piece-485 Definitely NTA but boy-oh-boy did you set yourself up for some real BS to happen. Never go into a sale like this where you are the bank. Always get payment in full from anyone that is not family but even family should have shown a history of being reliable and trustworthy.
    via Altruistic-Piece-485
  • 25
    Now you have to worry about the person deciding to just stop paying you. Sure you can take them to small claims court but thats gonna cost you time and money. Your best bet going forward is to take the car back and sell it for scrap. Tell them it's their responsibility to get it to the junk yard though.
    via Altruistic-Piece-485
  • 26
    notrainsaround here "$3000 total paid in installments of $200 per month" Incredibly generous of you. I'd have expected payment in full on the day.
    via notrainsaround
  • 27
    Some evidence7655 Even if you hadn't been "completely transparent about all of this" ... a competent adult ought to know what was meant by "as-is, with no warranties or guarantees". ΝΤΑ That said, this scenario is why I haven't ever sold a car to someone I know.
    via Some_evidence7655

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awareness disclosure failblog car coworkers installments sold askreddit office-tension junk yard coworker-stories car troubles partial-payments return broken down agreement
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