A Ford salesman says a new car on his lot is probably never going to sell.
Scott (@scottinsales) showed off a 2025 Ford Escape he describes as the cheapest vehicle available at the dealership—but with a catch.
"I can almost guarantee we’re never going to sell it," he says.
The SUV was previously used in the dealership’s "courtesy loaner" program. It has only a "couple thousand" miles on it and is still treated as new, which means it’s being offered at a steep discount.
"You get a huge discount which works out for a ton of people," Scott says.
He walked viewers through some of the Escape’s selling points, calling it a "great car" with a nice interior and sporty appearance. But then came the issue that, in his view, kills the deal.
Scott said one of his "lovely" service customers smoked in the vehicle—"which obviously is not ideal."
"Unfortunately, now we have this great car at a huge discount that is probably never going to sell," he says. As of this writing, the video has drawn just over 6,600 views.
How Do I Get The Smell Of Cigarettes Out?
Getting cigarette smell out of a car takes more than a quick wipe-down. Smoke clings to fabric, vents, and the headliner, so getting rid of it usually means a full interior clean, hence why Scott suggested the Ford would not sell despite the car’s popularity.
If you’re trying to get the cigarette smell out of your car, start by removing any leftover ash or debris, then vacuum the carpets and upholstery thoroughly.
After that, go over the hard surfaces with cleaners specifically made for them. The dashboard, steering wheel, and center console all tend to hold onto that smoky film. Don’t forget the windows either—nicotine can build up on the glass and hang onto the smell.
According to Toyota, one easy fix is baking soda—sprinkle it over the seats and carpets, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum it up. The car's ceiling can hold on to smoke, too, so a light wipe with a microfiber cloth and some cleaning solution can help there.
The air system is another spot people forget about. Run the AC on high and use an odor-neutralizing spray to help clear out whatever’s been circulating through the vents. It also helps to replace the cabin air filter, which can hold onto smoke.
For stronger odors, basic cleaning may not cut it. Some people on Reddit said they leave onions cut in half or coffee grounds in the car overnight to absorb lingering smells. In tougher cases, it may take a professional detail to remove it fully.
Do Dealerships Sell Loaners As ‘New’ Cars?
Commenters who came across Scott’s video fixated less on the smell and more on the fact that the dealership was still calling the car "new" after it had been used as a loaner.
"So they smoked in it, but you’re selling it as new?" one viewer asked.
"It was a loaner car yet sold as ‘new,’ it’s not a new car," another user added.
"Treated as new with a couple thousand miles, bro, that is a used car and [you’re] trying to sell it for new price," a third commenter wrote. "And it was beaten like a rented mule."
"It also should not be treated as new," a fourth person noted. "It is factually used."
Others shifted to possible fixes, suggesting ways the dealership could address the smell, including an "ozone clean," which is often used to remove stubborn odors like smoke or pet odors.
"It needs [an] ozone clean," one person said.
"An ozone generator will literally get rid of that in 1 treatment," another commenter wrote. "It’s what hotels use for room smells."
"Have your recon team invest in an ozone machine," a third user suggested.
Some viewers pointed to the price—$26,117, according to Scott—as the bigger issue behind the car’s lack of sale.
"At $26k, that’s not a huge discount," one commenter wrote. "Once it hits $17,500 or so, it will move."
"I’d probably price the car at 16-18k," another user added. "There are a lot of cars you can get with 0 miles on the clock for 21-25k."
Motor1 has reached out to Scott via direct message on TikTok. We’ll update this story if we hear back.
@scottinsales the car that will never sell ☠️ #ford #fordperformance #chevy #jeep #ram ♬ RINGS - Otis McDonald
