What makes a good private ad?

[MarkGArgyle]

As above really, about to put the MX5 up for sale on auto trader and haven’t sold a car privately ever I think… seems the right time of year and right type of car to try 2 weeks before the inevitable Motorway.

Lots of photos taken today including the documentation, roof up and down etc.

I used Gemini to write something but wanted to see what others think. Anything you as a PH buyer would specifically look for?

Won’t write the ad here as it is not a sale post but here is the car for attention

[ninepoint2]

Keep it simple and factual, avoid saying it's in great condition as that's subjective and could possibly go against you if it breaks down shortly after the sale, also avoid any nonsense like "first to see will buy" and ensure realistic pricing. Be prepared for all sort of idiotic responses though, worst one I had was some clown wanting to swap a Transit for a Maserati...

[Mad Maximus]

Do not use ai to write your description.

Effort and clarity in the description and good pictures in a good environment.

[chip*]

What I seek in an advert:

Brief summary of the car condition e.g. bodywork = good condition / no paint scratches / dents, Michelin Pilot Sport tyres with 7mm all round etc..

Details on the maintenance history e.g. listing of minor/major services by miles and date, brake fluid / cambelt / aircon etc.. (Indy or Main Dealer)

Any part updates / modification e.g. new water pump, new tyres fitted last year etc..

[Pica-Pica]

Not pictures that seem to show a big crease in the bodywork.

[Belle427]

Keep it simple as suggested with no waffle, I don`t think a brief description of paint/interior/wheel condition is too much but don`t go ott with it.
Oh and Is it still available?

[595Heaven]

Find a better location for photos…

Individual pictures of every wheel and tyre

Don’t use AI

[Trevor555]

Honest pictures.

Show people what they want to see, like the drivers seat bolster.

I skip straight past adverts where pics show everything apart from bits that might be worn.

And as said, your own description, not AI stuff.

Good luck

[bristolracer]

State that the car is registered in your name, selling on behalf my cousin’s girlfriend is always a driveway trader red flag.

[SWoll]

Avoid a word salad (which AI will give you)

Pictures from all angles including every wheel/tyre.

Pictures of service history/manuals/keys etc. (with any personal stuff redacted of course)

Price realistically but with a bit of headroom for you so the buyer can haggle you down a bit and be happy with the deal.

Prepare yourself to deal with fkwits.

[21TonyK]

Try to take pictures that dont contain reflections that can be mistaken for dents, marks etc

Some good closeup pics of very, very clean and perfect bits on the interior or exterior will draw a bit of attention.

[CMTMB]

Things to avoid :

- AI written gibberish. Most people can tell from the first sentence and will stop reading. You don't need AI to advertise a car.

- Statements about condition. 'Mint condition'. 'Drives like a brand new car' That's subjective, let the buyer decide. It also leaves you wide open to future comebacks.

- Giving a reason for the sale. It doesn't matter and makes buyers instantly think you're hiding something. 'Reluctant sale, too fast for the wife'. Just no.

- Keep it concise. You don't need to list every single feature of the car. 'Body coloured bumpers' Waste of time and puts people off, only mention any significant options.

Edited by CMTMB on Sunday 29th March 10:52

[SFTWend]

Pica-Pica said:

Not pictures that seem to show a big crease in the bodywork.

That's immediately what came to my attention.

Agree with everyone else's advice.

[Matt_T]

It may be personal, but I like adverts that show "the good things" and "the bad things".

For example:
Good things:
Recent service with brake fluid and new discs and pads
Air con compressor replaced in 2022


Bad things:
slight rattle form seats
small scratches around door handles
likely to need new clutch within a year.

It makes it feel like you understand the car well and are being honest about things.

[ZX10R NIN]

Good pictures/clear concise information about the car & maintenance history main dealer/specialist/indy etc & good pictures.

[vikingaero]

Wasn't there a French chap who used to have his dolly bird wife pose with the car?

[MarkGArgyle]

Thanks all, much food for thought, not noticed the crease perception, glad I asked (need to check all my photos now and possibly retake tomorrow]

Tying Carwow first as they gave an indication of my privately asking price and reserve at what I would accept post-negotiation.

If not the auto trader next weekend.

[thetapeworm]

MarkGArgyle said:

Thanks all, much food for thought, not noticed the crease perception, glad I asked (need to check all my photos now and possibly retake tomorrow]

Tying Carwow first as they gave an indication of my privately asking price and reserve at what I would accept post-negotiation.

If not the auto trader next weekend.

How are you getting on?

I've got 2 cars up for sale at the moment, both older examples but at low prices and the sales experience has been awful so far, lots of fakery and scam attempts and then just loads of people asking questions or going straight to "lowest price?" without any basic conversation first. I'm finding it hard to tell the difference between rude people and bots trying to scam me a lot of the time.

So today, on a 23 year old MR2, I've had someone just offer me £1000 less than the listed price (which is already low) without asking anything or trying to view it, someone saying it looked too rusty and would I take £500, a chap who wanted me give him a price to deliver it to the Midlands before even discussing anything about the car, two scammers and someone who seemed genuine but has gone quiet.

The other car, a Cactus, is up for sale with zero interest so I tried Motorway and Carwow, it sold on Motorway and then they sent a "3rd party" in his Corolla Taxi to do "checks" which involved sniffing the coolant, dripping oil over my drive after checking the level (it was serviced at the end of March) and then telling me the clutch was too high and it had a "knock" before advising the buyer not to buy it - a £3000 80,000 mile Citroen that could retail for double that.

I hate selling cars at the best of times but I don't know if it's these particular ones, my adverts that have too much information them and are too honest, or what but it seems like a really awful time to sell things and deal with the public.

Hopefully you're having more luck

[MarkGArgyle]

Carwow was a so-so experience, I had it up privately for 12.5k and carwow said 11.5k as a reserve. The first round it made 10.2k which I rejected but second time around it made 11.5k from a Mazda dealer.

Collection day they sent a transport guy who said the bonnet paint looked a little “flat” which was something another body shop said a few years ago but I ignored as nothing had been done in my time.

Anyway we ended up negotiating with the dealer wanting -£500 and ending up at -£150 just to get it gone.

Irony was that weekend I had a number of serious enquiries along with the take 9k gang via fb.

Would,I use it again? Probably yes but with eyes open. Loved the mx5 but looking forward to the ftype when I find one.

Motorway was an admin nightmare also with a lower reserve so I won’t use them again.

[cliffords]

vikingaero said:

Wasn't there a French chap who used to have his dolly bird wife pose with the car?

I looked at an advert for a motorbike on eBay that had a young lady posing on the bike in very short shorts and a similar small top . Not that I can clearly and accurately describe what she was wearing, the colour of her hair etc .
I don't recall what bike it was now .