Can I Sell a Car with a Check Engine Light On?

The check engine light is one of the most dreaded sights for car owners. It can be a sign of a minor problem, like a loose gas cap, or it can indicate a major issue, like a blown engine. If you’re planning to sell your car, you may be wondering if you can do so with the check engine light on.

The answer is: it depends. In some cases, you may be able to sell your car with the check engine light on, but you will likely have to disclose the issue to potential buyers and accept a lower price. In other cases, you may not be able to sell your car at all until you have the issue fixed.

Factors to Consider

There are a few factors to consider when deciding whether or not to sell your car with the check engine light on:

The severity of the issue. Some check engine light issues are more serious than others. If the issue is minor, like a loose gas cap, you may be able to get away with selling your car without having it fixed. However, if the issue is more serious, like a blown engine, you will likely have to have it fixed before you can sell your car.
The age and condition of your car. If your car is old and in poor condition, potential buyers may be less likely to be interested in it, even if the check engine light issue is minor. However, if your car is newer and in good condition, potential buyers may be more willing to overlook a check engine light issue.
The local market. The demand for used cars varies from place to place. In some areas, there may be a high demand for used cars, even those with check engine light issues. In other areas, there may be less demand, and you may have to accept a lower price for your car if it has a check engine light issue.

Steps to Take

If you’re planning to sell your car with the check engine light on, there are a few steps you should take:

Get the issue diagnosed. The first step is to get the issue diagnosed by a mechanic. This will help you determine the severity of the issue and whether or not it needs to be fixed before you can sell your car.
Disclose the issue to potential buyers. Once you know the severity of the issue, you need to disclose it to potential buyers. You can do this by including it in your car’s listing or by telling potential buyers about it when they come to look at the car.
Accept a lower price. In most cases, you will have to accept a lower price for your car if it has a check engine light issue. The amount of the discount will depend on the severity of the issue and the local market.

Conclusion

Whether or not you can sell your car with a check engine light on depends on a number of factors. If the issue is minor and the local market is strong, you may be able to get away with selling your car without having it fixed. However, if the issue is more serious or the local market is weak, you may have to have the issue fixed before you can sell your car.