Traders prepping cars before sale (or not)

[eltax91]

Hi all

I've just returned from looking at a car at a local-ish trader. The car in question is a rather tidy Volvo S60 with the 2.5 T5 engine. After getting the car unlocked and jump-started (not surprising given the weather) we took it out for a quick test drive. The car drove well, pulled ok, no strange noises/ vibrations to worry about. It's got full dealer history and is up to date.

Then came the killer that has probably put me off. Dashboard warning system reads "Anti-skid service required". Which googling brings up anything from a quick code read/ clear to full on ABS control module replacements! Of course Mr Trader man says he will "get rid of the warning" before sale and that it's probably "to do with the flat battery".

So my question, and the point of this thread. Traders, is there a genuine reason why you leave preparation until after you've sold a car? The guy is holding tight on his price, presumably because he now wants to avoid a loss on a cost of prepping the car. So, why not prep it ready for sale instead of frightening potential customer.

This is a genuine question and not a dig at "the trade". It's a £4.5k car, so not exactly bargain bucket or shed territory. Also, anyone with an S60 T5 within 75 miles of leicester (in SE spec), give me a PM!!!

[Devil2575]

My mate once went to view an E36 M3 EVO. It was suffering from what I guessed was the common problem with the clutch hose and so the gear change was terrible. It required a lot of effort just to change gear. My mate asked the dealer if he would be prepared to sort the problem so he could test drive it again properly.

"No. If you put a deposit down I will get it fixed" was the response.

My mate walked.

Crazy to have a car for sale with such a significant problem(at least in terms of how the car drove)

[fat freddie]

I think it's a policy of quote a few of them to clean a car when it comes in but that'll be it. If the punter doesn't spot all the faults so much the better, more profit. A large retail chain based in Glasgow whose name rhymes with Linkin Park' do this as a matter or course.

Also, the number of gullible people who'll be taken in by crap like "Oh yes it's just a warning light, probably just a dirty sensor/the flat battery/there's an R in the month" is amazing. The reason people like us see how crooked most of the motor trade is, is because we have at least a passing interest about knowledge about cars. Probably 90% of punters who buy used cars don't.

[Deva Link]

I always thought the reason was that if the car doesn't sell then the dealer will put it back in the auction, so any money he spends on it is likely to be lost.

[markmullen]

Did you demo it in snow? I'm smoking an old Alfa 147 around on winter tyres and if given enough slippage on snow or packed ice a similar warning is thrown up which clears if you switch off the ignition and then back on again.

[HustleRussell]

Sounds like it's got a knackred battery as well? I'd get it tested (properly!) if I were you...

[247RPM]

Every trader I see always does the wheel wall polish trick! Surely no one actually thinks they are new tyres because they are shiny?

[ruff'n'smov]

I would have thought that it's a case of not spending money if you don't have to. If a punter notices we'll fix it, if it goes to auction we won't or if the punter notices we won't fix it. The problem is If the trader is crooked enough to hope it's not noticed will he fix it properly if you do notice, ?

I would say light on that looks/could be serious walk away

[monthefish]

I suspect that, in many cases, the amount of 'prep' work that will be done will be directly related to the margin the dealer is going to make on the vehicle, so he needs to know his final sale price to know how much he's got to spend on the car.

Or, put another way, the less he can get away with spending on preparation, the healthier his profit margin in the deal.

[Snowboy]

fat freddie said:

I think it's a policy of quote a few of them to clean a car when it comes in but that'll be it. If the punter doesn't spot all the faults so much the better, more profit.

This.

It's actually a reason not to warn a dealer you are coming to look at a car.
Otherwise they might just clear the codes and hope they stay clear for the testdrive.

[Uncle John]

I went to look at a C63 AMG at a Merc dealer which was on the forecourt outside their swanky showroom.

It still had sooted up tailpipes. Less than impressed that they hadn't sorted that out I walked away.

Couldn't believe it.

[TonyRPH]

Deva Link said:

I always thought the reason was that if the car doesn't sell then the dealer will put it back in the auction, so any money he spends on it is likely to be lost.

This is what I have been told by a dealer in the past when asked why they didn't fix faults before putting the car up for sale.

It makes sense really, particularly in these tough economic times.

I'm sure there are quite a few dealers out there, who end up sending larger cars to auction simply because they don't sell.

Why would they spend money fixing issues that will have little or no bearing on the final auction price?

ETA: Re: the warning light - it's quite feasible that it's been caused by the flat battery. I have seen this on BMWs as well - once a new battery is fitted, the 'problem' goes away. Low voltages around sensitive ECUs can cause all manner of issues.

[helmutlaang]

When I was on the hunt for an A5 last year I viewed at 3 different main dealer sites who were all part of the same group.
All cars I was looking at were no more than 2 yrs old and all had damaged bodywork, from dented doors to front ends needing resprays due to chips.

I walked. Bear in mind these were cars which they were activley selling, not waiting prep.

[surveyor]

Uncle John said:

I went to look at a C63 AMG at a Merc dealer which was on the forecourt outside their swanky showroom.

It still had sooted up tailpipes. Less than impressed that they hadn't sorted that out I walked away.

Couldn't believe it.

I'm frankly amazed you walked away because of sooted up exhaust pipes. Surely that's OCD?

[Motorrad]

It's not exactly a rare care. Offer the dealer a chance to actually prepare it for sale while you look at your other options. If he can't be bothered then he can go and fk himself surely?

[valiant]

To be fair to the dealer a flat battery can throw up all sorts of random fault messages that usually disappear after a good charge.

Give it a good run then plug your diagnostics in and see what pops up.

[Mr2Mike]

surveyor said:

I'm frankly amazed you walked away because of sooted up exhaust pipes. Surely that's OCD?

I was thinking the same.

[E30M3SE]

valiant said:

To be fair to the dealer a flat battery can throw up all sorts of random fault messages that usually disappear after a good charge.

Give it a good run then plug your diagnostics in and see what pops up.

^^^^This..

[TIGERSIX]

Deva Link said:

I always thought the reason was that if the car doesn't sell then the dealer will put it back in the auction, so any money he spends on it is likely to be lost.

+1 correct

[Deva Link]

surveyor said:

Uncle John said:

I went to look at a C63 AMG at a Merc dealer which was on the forecourt outside their swanky showroom.

It still had sooted up tailpipes. Less than impressed that they hadn't sorted that out I walked away.

Couldn't believe it.

I'm frankly amazed you walked away because of sooted up exhaust pipes. Surely that's OCD?

It's a scam by robbing dealers - putting C63 badges on diesels. He did well spotting it.