Dealership owner sent a perfectly good Subaru to auction, and his reason says everything you need to know about the messy used car market

A car dealer in Las Vegas is selling a fully working Subaru WRX STI through an online auction. The reason has nothing to do with the engine or any mechanical problems. It’s all about how the car looks on the outside. Gavin Pancirov owns Citea Motors, a sports car dealership. He recently decided to sell the red STI on Copart, an online car auction website. The car runs perfectly fine, but fixing up the paint and exterior would take too much time and money for his business.

According to Motor1, Pancirov shared a video on TikTok showing the car being loaded onto a tow truck. He said the car has a clean title, brand new tires, and fresh brakes. The engine is the original 2.5 liter, not a replacement. He just couldn’t spend the resources to make the outside look good enough for his lot.

“There’s nothing wrong with it drivetrain wise,” Pancirov explained while standing next to the car. “There’s no accidents but the exterior is in really bad condition. The paint’s not in good condition, so, I’m hoping that someone else will buy it on Copart. And they’ll be happy with it.”

High-end dealerships can’t sell cars with bad paint, even if they run great

This happens often with dealerships that focus on high-end cars. Even though the car drives great, the dealership has a reputation to protect. If the paint looks terrible, it won’t meet their standards. However, this is perfect for car enthusiasts who don’t mind doing some work themselves.

Running a dealership comes with challenges that many people don’t expect. Some dealers have faced unexpected problems with their car business that force them to make tough decisions about which vehicles to keep on their lot.

Pancirov was so sure about the car’s quality that he made a strong statement to buyers. In the comments on his post, he mentioned that the ABS light is currently on, but the car is ready to drive. “It’s 100% a good running and driving car; I swear on my life,” he wrote. He also said buyers probably won’t find a cheaper working STI anywhere else.

Copart is a huge online car auction that lists over 350,000 vehicles every day. The cars range from almost perfect condition to completely destroyed. While it might seem like a great place to get a deal, experts warn that it’s not always the best choice for regular buyers. For those looking for ways to buy affordable new cars, there are other options worth considering besides auctions.

Auto experts say Copart works best for professional dealers, people who buy and sell car parts, and exporters who know how to make money from damaged vehicles. Experienced DIY mechanics who are willing to restore cars can also find good deals. But if you just want a quick, reliable car, you might end up with a risky purchase.