Is there a market for £20k Privately sold BMW's ?

Is there a market for £20k Privately sold BMW's ?

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Discussion

MikeGoodwin

Original Poster:

3,323 posts

116 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
As in 320d's. Trying to sell mine currently which is at the lower end of the pricing scale I found on Parkers and some other valuation sites pitched at £20k but Im wondering if I am wasting my time (and money) advertising it as most BMWs like this will be purchased on finance PCP (like I did!) and should just take a £2000 loss by selling it to these we buy your car websites.

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
If WBAC are 2k less than what you could reasonably expect to get for it privately, then in your position I would run it privately, and give it a go.

I have only one firsthand experience of WBAC and they paid 2k more than best trade in (p/ex) offer, £500 more than the next best offer and the price was above top book (trade in) for the car and close to the best I would have expected privately; not that there were any takers.


Dealer offer 13,000
Top book 14,800
Best other offers 14,400
Private aim £15,250
WBAC 14,900

Their prices, they say, are determined by what the cars go for at auction and there were fluctuations, so it's worth regularly checking their offers. And if you get a good enough one, and can sell, make the appointment.



MikeGoodwin

Original Poster:

3,323 posts

116 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Thanks

I may make an appointment with them to see what they actually offer. Ive heard the stories about knit picking at every little stone chip etc.

Valuations estimated between £20k and £22k. WBAC was about £17500. Another buy your car website offered about £18700 but I can see that creeping down. One offered £16500....

Trailhead

2,628 posts

146 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
If you make your we buy any car appointment through top cashback you get £20 for attending the valuation and £52 if you end up selling it to them.

What's the spec and details of the car?

MikeGoodwin

Original Poster:

3,323 posts

116 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Trailhead said:
If you make your we buy any car appointment through top cashback you get £20 for attending the valuation and £52 if you end up selling it to them.

What's the spec and details of the car?
Cheers ill have a look at that!

2012 - 12 - 320d Sport Plus manual. 'Standard' Sport Plus spec (so doesnt have keyless or DAB, but does have heated seats, cruise, satnav, bluetooth and allsorts of other stuff on it). Black Sapphire, Coral Red. 18700miles. FBMWSH. Condition is almost mint - there's a stonechip on the bonnet and driver seat bolster has wear on the seam from the previous owner. (Im 2nd).

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
MikeGoodwin said:
Thanks

I may make an appointment with them to see what they actually offer. Ive heard the stories about knit picking at every little stone chip etc.

Valuations estimated between £20k and £22k. WBAC was about £17500. Another buy your car website offered about £18700 but I can see that creeping down. One offered £16500....
I guess each of their buyers could be different, but the one I met did look at bodywork which was good (actually he missed a slightly marked alloy) but paid more attention to driving the car around compound, state of tyres (must be 3mm or more) and looking and listening to engine. He said their ethos is not to be typically motor trade, and be very customer focused with many buyers, as he, not from motor trade backgrounds.

And to be fair, valuation on the day was 300£ higher than the one I had gone to explore, and this was mentioned /visible in total transparency. In fact it's a very automated system with any adjustments visible.


I did have an experience with trade my motor and they were keen to knock down price. very different experience. Much more like a car dealer with more typical negotiating.

WBAC are owned by BAC auctions and that's where the car went, bought by a dealer (after WBAC put the new tyres on) and last time I checked dealer was selling it for 17,500£




MikeGoodwin

Original Poster:

3,323 posts

116 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Cheers they are fairly local to me so Ill give them a try.


Shaoxter

4,048 posts

123 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
Would have thought that's a prime candidate for WBAC or similar.
Private buyers with £20k cash generally won't go for new 320D's as they're mostly bought on finance.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
If you did it PCP you can hand it back or trade it in against another - why are you even considering anything but? You've paid the premium for this ability via the PCP.


Unless you bought it final payment then wanted to shift it on again.

Matt_N

8,900 posts

201 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
MikeGoodwin said:
Cheers ill have a look at that!

2012 - 12 - 320d Sport Plus manual. 'Standard' Sport Plus spec (so doesnt have keyless or DAB, but does have heated seats, cruise, satnav, bluetooth and allsorts of other stuff on it). Black Sapphire, Coral Red. 18700miles. FBMWSH. Condition is almost mint - there's a stonechip on the bonnet and driver seat bolster has wear on the seam from the previous owner. (Im 2nd).
You could sort that for £20 with a touch up stick and a liquid leather kit, they'll knock more than £20 off the valuation!

jonah35

3,940 posts

156 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
Dunno who buys a £20k 320d.

Company car users get new, cash buyers tend to buy cheaper stuff and enthusiasts would buy an m3 etc. its in an awkward bracket.

There will be buyers but price will be key obviously.


nick5michaels

3 posts

116 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
I have sold a 3yr old 5 series touring and 5 year old X5 privately via autotrader in the past three years; both around £19k;

I had BMW warranties on both so that helped probably, but I asked £750 less than a franchise dealer and got at least £1500 more than WBAC

£50 to advertise and not too many moron tyre-kickers rang. Both went in two weeks

MikeGoodwin

Original Poster:

3,323 posts

116 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
I actively dislike BMW as a brand now and will never own another BMW again.

Will leave it up for sale while I await the new motor. Unless I get the itch to give it to WBAC or similar. If they pay enough then Ill let them have it.

Trailhead

2,628 posts

146 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
MikeGoodwin said:
I actively dislike BMW as a brand now and will never own another BMW again.
Why?

GreigM

6,726 posts

248 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
I recently had a very good experience with WBAC - so long as you are honest with your valuation they will pay the price they say. It saved me dealing with the numpties who try to offer 50% of your asking, thinking they are doing you a favour "for cash". The next person who says "for cash" when buying a car from me will get told to f-off regardless of their offer.

nickfrog

20,872 posts

216 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
MikeGoodwin said:
I actively dislike BMW as a brand now
I don't like the brand either. I quite like some of the products though. Each to their own.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
nickfrog said:
MikeGoodwin said:
I actively dislike BMW as a brand now
I don't like the brand either. I quite like some of the products though. Each to their own.
Exactly what on earth does someone's preference make to this thread? Don't like it fair enough and its good everyone is different.

tjlees

1,382 posts

236 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
I've sold three bmers between 18500 to 25500. They have usually taken around 4-5 weeks to sell. Key thing is as always the price. It needs to be realistic for a private seller.

Not sure about the f30/f31 yet, but the E63 was one of the best cars I've ever owned - the vag, jags and merc cars are all very good but the bmers have them on performance, ride, handling and feel - quality is not bad if you are careful on the interior/exterior options.

WBAC are getting better, the last car sale should have gone that way for all the effort and cost I put in, I only gained another £300 over them.