6/7 Year Old Audi/BMW/VW/MB Not Selling?
Discussion
I've 2 mates who run used car businesses. They've both said that they no longer take in German mid-size cars. The reason they gave was that the cost of getting them to a reasonable standard is now beyond economic reason. The parts, especially the electrics/electronics and drivetrain, are either weak or very overpriced.
The work involved to present the cars for sale now cuts harshly into the margins and any warranty claims, they're just not worth the hassle. Not talking about specials or FSH superdooper cared for ones, just the run of the mill cars.
Do you think this market is going to die on it's arse?
The work involved to present the cars for sale now cuts harshly into the margins and any warranty claims, they're just not worth the hassle. Not talking about specials or FSH superdooper cared for ones, just the run of the mill cars.
Do you think this market is going to die on it's arse?
Agree with this. Just agreed a deal with a local VW/Audi specialist for my Octavia VRS. He viewed the car Wednesday and made an offer but he showed me the valuations guide and the difference between trade-in value and dealer sale price was very small meaning he would not be able to take on a car with any significant faults. As it is the rear bumper needs a repaint and that's about it so he decided to take it.
He is picking it up today!
He is picking it up today!
Premium models always have and always will only be in demand when they're 'in fashion' which is when they're the current model which lasts about 5 years.
After that demand is low, so if all of the cars are brought up to standard the dealer would have to put the price up accordingly, and they would be too expensive for the target market which is why they plummet in price during middle age until they hit 'shed' money which varies depending upon model.
For example the e60 5 series are dropping below 3k now, older e46 3 series are bottoming out around 2k etc
After that demand is low, so if all of the cars are brought up to standard the dealer would have to put the price up accordingly, and they would be too expensive for the target market which is why they plummet in price during middle age until they hit 'shed' money which varies depending upon model.
For example the e60 5 series are dropping below 3k now, older e46 3 series are bottoming out around 2k etc
I run a register for B5 RS4's, so am always looking for them on Autotrader/PH/etc.
Some have been for sale with the same dealer for the best part of a year now without the prices hardly dropping at all.
Try selling a 13 year old thirsty car with big running costs for £10k+ to the general public!
Some have been for sale with the same dealer for the best part of a year now without the prices hardly dropping at all.
Try selling a 13 year old thirsty car with big running costs for £10k+ to the general public!
magnum555 said:
AB said:
You want to try selling an 11 year old 330Ci Convertible.
Not a sniff.
In general the used car market is struggling at the moment.Not a sniff.
djdestiny said:
I run a register for B5 RS4's, so am always looking for them on Autotrader/PH/etc.
Some have been for sale with the same dealer for the best part of a year now without the prices hardly dropping at all.
Try selling a 13 year old thirsty car with big running costs for £10k+ to the general public!
Then they are too expensive! Basically anything will sell, at the right price, being fast doesn't guarantee a 13 year old car is worth ten grand, lots of scope for big bills, huge thirst and looking fairly old nowadays don't help, I like them but a modern s line looks as sporty, does 45 to the gallon, goes fast enough for joe public and impresses the neighbours for 300 a month.Some have been for sale with the same dealer for the best part of a year now without the prices hardly dropping at all.
Try selling a 13 year old thirsty car with big running costs for £10k+ to the general public!
Dealers, especially a lot on ph get carried away and price at double what a car is worth, puts people off going to see it, more telling and a truer idea of prices is the completed listings search on eBay.
J4CKO said:
Then they are too expensive! Basically anything will sell, at the right price, being fast doesn't guarantee a 13 year old car is worth ten grand, lots of scope for big bills, huge thirst and looking fairly old nowadays don't help, I like them but a modern s line looks as sporty, does 45 to the gallon, goes fast enough for joe public and impresses the neighbours for 300 a month.
Dealers, especially a lot on ph get carried away and price at double what a car is worth, puts people off going to see it, more telling and a truer idea of prices is the completed listings search on eBay.
10k gets you a cheap one, you're looking at 13-15k for a really sorted and looked after one.Dealers, especially a lot on ph get carried away and price at double what a car is worth, puts people off going to see it, more telling and a truer idea of prices is the completed listings search on eBay.
They are not over priced at 10k at all, the point I was trying to make is that dealers have put them on their forecourt and are now stuck with them.
If a 6-7 year old basic model isn't selling what were they thinking when they took on something like an RS4!
djdestiny said:
J4CKO said:
Then they are too expensive! Basically anything will sell, at the right price, being fast doesn't guarantee a 13 year old car is worth ten grand, lots of scope for big bills, huge thirst and looking fairly old nowadays don't help, I like them but a modern s line looks as sporty, does 45 to the gallon, goes fast enough for joe public and impresses the neighbours for 300 a month.
Dealers, especially a lot on ph get carried away and price at double what a car is worth, puts people off going to see it, more telling and a truer idea of prices is the completed listings search on eBay.
10k gets you a cheap one, you're looking at 13-15k for a really sorted and looked after one.Dealers, especially a lot on ph get carried away and price at double what a car is worth, puts people off going to see it, more telling and a truer idea of prices is the completed listings search on eBay.
They are not over priced at 10k at all, the point I was trying to make is that dealers have put them on their forecourt and are now stuck with them.
If a 6-7 year old basic model isn't selling what were they thinking when they took on something like an RS4!
The B5 RS4 is the sort of car that is either bought on a whim or as an investment. So its either the wrong car (poor nick, wrong spec) or just waiting for the right buyer.
I've got first dibbs on a garaged 100k mile, 1 owner in Avus silver. The guy is approaching 70 and will be getting shot in the next few years. Planning to lock it away in my garage and run it 6 months of the year.
I've got first dibbs on a garaged 100k mile, 1 owner in Avus silver. The guy is approaching 70 and will be getting shot in the next few years. Planning to lock it away in my garage and run it 6 months of the year.
Fishtigua said:
That's it's "value". It says so in the book. 
As I said, that arse has been ripped out of this market.
As pointed out, it's a buyers market now and book price definitely doesn't reflect sale price IMO. I'm sure you are, but are you also dropping the price on a monthly basis according to the book prices, which are adjusted each month? I know on my last car it was dropping something stupid like 600 a month.As I said, that arse has been ripped out of this market.
As painful as it is, the place to get a feel for what prices cars actually sell as is eBay, log in, do a search and go to advanced search and click 'completed listings only'. Those in red didn't sell the ones in green did - these are the real prices the public will pay. Often a fair bit below book price. I PXed my last car, and there were dealers selling the same car as mine for £1500 less than the PX book price for its condition!
Good luck!
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