Teresa in MO Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 We bought a new (used, but new to us) minivan on Saturday. It is a 2007 with low miles and was pretty much exactly what we were looking for. My dh was cleaning it yesterday and noticed a few cigarette burns on the drivers seat. So we can assume the van has been smoked in. There is absolutely no cigarette smoke smell in the van. My dh is worried that the dealer just used a deodorizer in the van and the cigarette smell will return. We are usually very careful not to buy a used vehicle that has been smoked in. My dh is very sensitive to cigarette smoke. We are not sure what to do. I am thinking the dealer probably used a odor eliminator and not just a deodorizer. I have googled and there are products we could buy if the smell returned. Like I said, there is no trace of a cigarette smell and believe me my dh has a very sensitive nose. He always smell things in the house before anyone else does. :lol: My dh mentioned returning the van, but it really is everything we wanted and was a pretty good deal. What would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 If I can hit the undo button, I would hit it. I don't think that is possible though. Usually when you buy a used car, it is done/finished/over. There are other problems than smell that go along with a smoked-in vehicle. It causes the glue that holds the fabric to the ceiling to disintegrate with time. That is particularly annoying.:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelly in IL Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Then, put containers of coffee in it over night for a few nights (dry ground coffee, not brewed coffee). When you're done with that, put cut up oranges around in and maybe just leave them in there. They smell nice and absorb the smokey smell. My current suburban had the same problem, and now it is odor free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lailasmum Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 They could have cleaned it really thoroughly and if so it might not return. The car I had a couple of cars ago stank to high heaven of dogs when we bought it. We cleaned it super thoroughly and used a product that cleaned out the airconditioning/vents. It worked and the smell never returned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skywards Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Sliced up green apples on a paper plate under the seat, changed every other day or so if the smell returns. The dealership my mom bought her car from years ago told her that as the car she bought smelled terribly like smoke and it sure did work. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissad2 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Turn on the a/c and see if you smell it then. If you do I would get it professionally detailed and be sure they deodorize the a/c system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnitWit Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Shoot. I'd go back to the dealer, show them the cig burns and ask them about it if I had been very specific on the front end about that particular issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth. Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 I would return it. IME the smells just can't be totally eliminated. Once the humid summer months hit, it's likely the smells will return. My state laws essentially allow you to 'undo' within 30 days. Maybe your state has something similar?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laundrycrisis Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 They may have cleaned it very thoroughly, using strong suction on the upholstery and seat cushions, air vents, ceiling fabric etc. Hopefully it will be fine. I understand though. I am also very sensitive to cigarette smoke. Being in a space with smoke residue, even when it is very old, causes me to have asthma symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissad2 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 If you signed an "as is" form then unfortunately you're stuck with it. At least on my state you are ( we sell used cars and everyone who buys from us signs one). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Ask the dealer how they did remove the odor. ("We just found cigarette burns and want to know 1.how you removed the odor and 2. what you can do if the odor returns") I think some dealers have machines that actually work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuff Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Our van smelled when it was first on the lot. It had just arrived, so we saw it before they had a chance to do anything to it. That did concern me- I'm allergic and can feel my lungs constric with the slightest cigarette smoke. But the salesman assured us that they would clean it well and it wouldn't smell anymore. They did, and it never came back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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