Always better to fix/repair a car before selling?

[Heathwood]

Hi folks,

I've just bought a new car for the wife, so need to offload the existing car (Golf tdi). The car's in perfect mechanic order, FSH etc, but needs some paintwork rectified (small dent on door, strange paint defect covering bonnet and birdst eaten through lacquer on wing. I've been quoted £400 to sort it all from a trusted body shop.

Am I right in thinking it'll be worth getting this done and then trying to sell rather than simply putting the car up for £400 - 500 less than it would be worth in tip top condition?

Thanks

[PositronicRay]

I don't think so, people buying privately don't want/need showroom prepped cars. Just sell a bit cheaper and explain why.

[paintman]

Depends how much you expect to get for the car.
If its a cheapie then fine, but if it isn't then you're going to get people walking away or making silly offers on the basis that it needs the work.

[Heathwood]

It's an 08 plate worth circa £5 - 5.5k, so not expensive but not exactly a cheapy either.

[va1o]

I probably wouldn't bother, the retail cost of repairing won't add that value to the car

[fatboy b]

My rule of thimb is that a car is worth 2x less than the cost to repair it. Any little niggle is a negotiation point.

[Impasse]

It may not make it worth any more, but a well presented car will always be an easier sell than one requiring work. Do you want to gamble that you'll maximise your profit potential or do you just want a quick sale?

[dave_s13]

Unless you can get it tidied up for less than £100 or so then I'd leave it as a haggle point.

[ecotec]

I would look at getting the dent removed but leave the rest, the paint issues may not even be noticed but the dent will!

[Jasandjules]

Impasse said:

It may not make it worth any more, but a well presented car will always be an easier sell than one requiring work. Do you want to gamble that you'll maximise your profit potential or do you just want a quick sale?

This.

Depending on how bad the damage is, some people will look at that and question what else is wrong with the car as it smacks of a lack of care about her.

[Heathwood]

Jasandjules said:

This.

Depending on how bad the damage is, some people will look at that and question what else is wrong with the car as it smacks of a lack of care about her.

Yes, I think this probably reflects what I would think if I was looking to buy a car. In fact, I don't think I'd consider buying a car that was advertised as needing work unless it was very very cheap.

I probably wouldn't even be contemplated selling in its current condition unless I needed rid fairly sharpish.