Private buyer only offering 10% of what I advertised the car
Discussion
I have a Ford Focus with the following details:
It passed the last MOT with no advisories whatsoever.
I am trying to sell it privately and advertised it for £800 (I kinda just plucked this figure out of the air but I was getting some interest so this reassured me that it wasn't out of the question to be advertising at this price).
This last guy who came round that said he was buying the car for his dad noted the following (not being a car person, I have no idea about the severity of these things):
Has my car really lost £850 in value since 18 months ago. I was aware that the clutch wasn't the best as it has always had a very high biting point, however it passed the last MOT and service as it is now. The guy told me that it will not pass it's next MOT in 5 months time unless I fix all of the above (apart from the air-con).
Is what he is saying likely to be true? And would it really cost all that money to fix it? Or is there a chance that he is just trying to get the car extremely cheaply?
- UK model
- 1.5 Facelift model
- 2002
- Hatchback
- Full Service History
- 5 months MOT
- 70,000 miles
It passed the last MOT with no advisories whatsoever.
I am trying to sell it privately and advertised it for £800 (I kinda just plucked this figure out of the air but I was getting some interest so this reassured me that it wasn't out of the question to be advertising at this price).
This last guy who came round that said he was buying the car for his dad noted the following (not being a car person, I have no idea about the severity of these things):
- Rear sill has a rust hole that needs welding and re-painting (Here: http://i.imgur.com/jz0WzsJ.jpg)
- There is exhaust blow
- The clutch needs replacing
- I need 3 new tyres
- Air-con needs re-gassing
Has my car really lost £850 in value since 18 months ago. I was aware that the clutch wasn't the best as it has always had a very high biting point, however it passed the last MOT and service as it is now. The guy told me that it will not pass it's next MOT in 5 months time unless I fix all of the above (apart from the air-con).
Is what he is saying likely to be true? And would it really cost all that money to fix it? Or is there a chance that he is just trying to get the car extremely cheaply?
k off
benjijames28 said:
Sell it him and it will be up for sale on gumtree and a Facebook group for 1200, having had a fine mini valet from your local car wash. The lucky buyer might have been treated up a few part worn tyres if they are lucky, and a dodgy back Street 12 month mot.
Funnily enough, GumTree is where I'm advertising. So we know he's familiar with it.
Devil2575 said:
To be fair it does need a few hundred quid spending on it.
Given there a loads of old cheap used Focus's out there why would someone pay much for one with the problems you listed?
Almost every car in this price range needs money spending on it. Right now the tyres need sorting and maybe the clutch is not too far off starting to slip, as far as know it functions as it should Given there a loads of old cheap used Focus's out there why would someone pay much for one with the problems you listed?
benjijames28 said:
Devil2575 said:
To be fair it does need a few hundred quid spending on it.
Given there a loads of old cheap used Focus's out there why would someone pay much for one with the problems you listed?
Almost every car in this price range needs money spending on it. Right now the tyres need sorting and maybe the clutch is not too far off starting to slip, as far as know it functions as it should Given there a loads of old cheap used Focus's out there why would someone pay much for one with the problems you listed?
If it's got a decent full history, why does it need 3 tyres, new clutch, and exhaust? No offence, but it sounds like it's deteriorated over the last 18 months if it needs the work doing he suggested. I'm sure it's worth more than £150, but equally I'm sure it's worth less than £800 if you've got 18 months of motoring out of it whilst doing no more maintenance than adjusting the handbrake.
IDontKnowCars said:
I bought the car for £1000 about 18 months ago which, based on lots of research, appeared to be the standard price at the time. Since buying it I have had to do no repairs other than having the handbrake cable adjusted.
Okay...IDontKnowCars said:
I am trying to sell it privately and advertised it for £800 (I kinda just plucked this figure out of the air
Riiight...IDontKnowCars said:
This last guy who came round that said he was buying the car for his dad noted the following
Uh-huh...IDontKnowCars said:
* Rear sill has a rust hole that needs welding and re-painting (Here: 
)
And there was me, hoping for a photo...)IDontKnowCars said:
* There is exhaust blow
Is there? Can you hear one?IDontKnowCars said:
* The clutch needs replacing
Does it? Does it slip?IDontKnowCars said:
* I need 3 new tyres
Do you? You have checked them, right?IDontKnowCars said:
* Air-con needs re-gassing
It's an £800 car. WTF does he want?IDontKnowCars said:
Because of all this, he said he'd still buy it, but for only £150.
And you laughed and put the phone down, right?IDontKnowCars said:
Has my car really lost £850 in value since 18 months ago.
Well, I make £1000-£850=£150, but...IDontKnowCars said:
I was aware that the clutch wasn't the best as it has always had a very high biting point
So, yes, the clutch is fairly near death. But does it slip?IDontKnowCars said:
The guy told me that it will not pass it's next MOT in 5 months time unless I fix all of the above (apart from the air-con).
That's nice, dear.If the tyres really are fails, then they're illegal to use. You DO check them, right?
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