Selling a car that won't pass smog

[NutBucket]

If the problem is simply a fuel regulator sensor i fail to see how it wouldn't be easier to just replace the part yourself and sell it. Worth a shot since selling a car with smog cert will be much easier.

 

[Sukhoi]

Keep this updated if you find any way to sell it as non-operable or whatever. I will be in the same boat soon.

One thing to check out is a lot of times CA will give you money to get your car fixed to pass smog. If it still isn't fixed after spending that money then CA will buy the car from you or pay you to scrap it or something. Might be a possibility here. I don't know the details but I've heard rumors of such things happening.

 

[NutBucket]

Actually, all that the buyer has to do is register the car as PNO (planned non-op). Then the title transfer will be complete without a smog check. Then, when he gets it smogged it can registered "normally" at that time. Pretty simple actually.

 

[QueBert]

If the problem is simply a fuel regulator sensor i fail to see how it wouldn't be easier to just replace the part yourself and sell it. Worth a shot since selling a car with smog cert will be much easier.

Well, that sensor causes the car to run lean, I have no way to know 100%, but it's possible the Catalytic Converter is b0fed from the car running lean. Some back history, an idiot told me the light was false and to unhook the battery. My car knowledge said "ok" and did it. It ran for a few months and came back on, when I got it checked it was the fuel sensor. Which I'm guessing it was before. So I drove for 3-4 months with my car running lean. A few neighbors have told me this might very well could be the case now. I know when I drive it for about even a mile I hear pops and pings coming from underneath. I seem to have bad luck, so I really don't want to get into trying to fix the sensor and finding out it's the C.C. Which is stupidly expensive to fix, even if you can do it yourself. Which there's no way in hell I can. This is why I'm selling as-is and informing potential buyers that it needs work. I have knocked a good deal off KBB, as I'm not out to screw anyone. If it ends up just being the sensor they got a SUPER deal, if it ends up being the sensor + C.C they still get a pretty decent deal. I just want the car sold.

Keep this updated if you find any way to sell it as non-operable or whatever. I will be in the same boat soon.

One thing to check out is a lot of times CA will give you money to get your car fixed to pass smog. If it still isn't fixed after spending that money then CA will buy the car from you or pay you to scrap it or something. Might be a possibility here. I don't know the details but I've heard rumors of such things happening.

Well the state can't check to see that the car's actually non-operable. I have people telling me to take the battery out and have him tow it so I can sell it as PNO, which seems like needless work & $$$ spent. Even if it's not legal, I don't see why a seller couldn't just say it's PNO and let the buyer deal with fixing it. That's probably what I plan to do. Even selling as PNO I still have to pay taxes on the sale price, and the buyer still have to get it fixed in order to register it. So the state makes their cut and should be happy right?