Ran When parked

The art of ad-speak may be what is left unspoken…

4y ago
210.2K

I've been looking to buy a used car recently, which means looking at a lot of used-car ads. It might just be me, but some of the phrases that regularly crop up in the descriptions fill me with deep suspicion. So here's a selection of the finest, and what I think they might really mean. Feel free to respond with your own.

1) 'Extensive history file'

'It's Rarely out of a workshop'

2) 'Would suit enthusiast'

'I can't work out what's wrong with it'

3) 'Ideal winter project'

'Don't book anything for the summer, either'

4) 'Ran when parked'

'Never ran again, so it's still there'

5) 'Barn find'

'Recently moved into a barn'

6) 'Selling for a friend'

'I don't wish to be associated with this pile of shite'

7) 'Intermittent electrical fault'

'When you get it home'

8) 'First to see will buy'

'…something else'

9) 'Good runner'

'Bad runner'

10) 'Sure to appreciate'

'So why am I selling it then?'

11) 'Rolling restoration'

'Requiring numerous unavailable parts to finish'

12) 'A very honest car'

'Bolloxed'

Photo credit: Getty Images

Join In

Comments (126)

  • 1) Low Miles!

    New dash cluster installed with lower milage reading

    16) One owner

    After another

    29) Clean

    Now. Should have seen it yesterday

    8) All Highway miles

    Holy shit, mom, look at all those miles.

    357) Clean Carfax

    The collision hasn't been reported yet.

    777) Strong Engine

    I couldn't kill it, and believe me, I tried.

      4 years ago
  • "ran when parked"

    and as soon as I tried to start it, everybody else ran.

      4 years ago
  • "This car will be great fun"

    probably not for you - but everyone else will laugh

      4 years ago
  • "Mechanics special"

    Only the mechanic can keep it running

      4 years ago
  • "offered exclusively on the internet"

    If I want to keep my friends, I cannot sell it in the neighbourhood.

      4 years ago
126