Do people not sell cars privately anymore?

[SidewaysSi]

I don't buy many cars but I prefer to buy privately to usually get a better deal and a feel for the type of owner.

I am now after something relatively boring in the £5-7k range and the vast majority for sale are from one man band traders, who I would rather not deal with.

Is it ease of P/X or selling to the likes of WBAC? Not so long ago I would easily be able to get what I wanted from a private seller.

[SidewaysSi]

I am not after anything special - either a BMW E91 touring auto (318, 320, 325) or maybe a Lexus IS 250.

I am struggling to find anything decent privately. If I had a £6k car, personally I wouldn't trade it in for £4.5k or so but it seems the majority of the public do.

[SidewaysSi]

We have had traders and private sales since the start of time. Have peope`s attitudes and approaches changed?

Seems like I may need to try my luck with the arse end of the motor trade...

[SidewaysSi]

280E said:

SidewaysSi said:

We have had traders and private sales since the start of time.

Indeed we have, but in the olden times both parties had a similar level of knowledge about the product - whether it be horses, cars etc.

However, an increasing number of people have very little knowledge, either of the cars themselves - or the marketing of them. They now prefer to be 'spoon fed' by those caring dealers ready to 'upgrade' them - in a similar manner to buying the latest iGalaxy whizzo smartphone/comfort blanket.

As an 'old fogey', I shall continue to buy and sell privately

Very true. I am not too old (!) but the days of going down the newsagent to get Autotrader on a Thursday morning, ring around then go and get a good deal on a private sale doesn't seem that long ago!

[SidewaysSi]

I have always sold privately as well. As for buying, I see a few private sellers are pricing their cars at trade level or more.

Problem is that if 80% of the cars are trade sales, these people think theirs should be at the same price point when in reality between trade and retail.

It's going to be a long, long search unless I am more open on make and model.