Selling A Car - What Standard Do You Aim For?

[Faxo]

I've got a Grande Punto that I got very cheap due to a massive interior water leak. I've fixed the leak, and replaced the carpet, had it fully valeted and tbh it looks nice. It's an 06 plate, but with 144k on.

Cars of the same age and spec with around 70-80k on seem to go for around £2k, however due to my mileage, I'm thinking of trying for a quick £1k sale. However, I'm wondering how far to go with the 'tart up', as obviously everything I replace is eating into a small profit

Things like the radio buttons - the black coating has worn off so they're now white, the sun visor clip is broken, and how far do I go with mechanicals - do I replace the timing belt? These things I can do myself, obviously buying the parts.

I thought about advertising it as is, then if the first person comes and says 'the radio buttons are worn' etc, and doesn't buy, then reassess?

A car that's half the price of similar models, due to more miles, what would you expect if you were buying?

[1878]

At a grand, if someone is complaining that the radio button is worn, they really aren't the kind of buyer you want anyway.

[kambites]

On a car of that value, I probably wouldn't bother to do anything except hoover the inside and wash the outside.

[Durzel]

It's a car with 144k on the clock, any interested party complaining about wear and tear isn't worth dealing with.

[Spare tyre]

1500 and knock £50 off each day

[Jasandjules]

As above, for 1k a hoover and clean. Unless the timing belt is looong overdue, I wouldn't be changing that... Just needs a good 10 mths MOT remaining and enough tread on the tyres to be driven away.

[Flat6er]

I wouldn't go over the top. Just a clean and hoover, maybe a spray of oust, or a 20 quid clean from the local handwash lads. Keep it honest. A car of that age and value that has been tarted up, waxed and engine steamed, reeks of trying to cover up something else.

[GrizzlyBear]

For something around £1000, just spend some time hovering it out, and wash the outside. As others have said if you have obviously spent loads of time and money tidying it up it just looks like you are trying to hide something (I would never touch a car that just had its engine steam cleaned as it looks like you are hiding something).

[Matt UK]

I'd spend a Sunday cleaning it with what ever products I have on the garage shelf. And a general check / top up of air and fluids. I'd spend no money though.

Unless of course it's on the edge of not being roadworthy.

I just couldn't sell a car that immediately needs safety things doing - ie 1.6mm tyres, a squealing wheel bearing, hardly any meat left on the brake discs/pads, bulbs out etc. Even if you put it in the advert and tell people when viewing, I'd still worry in case it was bought by someone who has no clue and 3 months later hurts themselves or others due to imminent failures I was aware needed attention.