Warning signs in a small ad
Discussion
Just seen this ad which immediately put me off what could be a perfectly good car:
https://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1016387
Made me wonder: what wording in a small ad sets your alarm bells ringing?
If you’re the OP on that ad, the wording that made me think something was wrong included:
- Title doesn’t state the make and model, which looks like you don’t know or appreciate it yourself. Always best to include some expertise eg “pre-ABS” model
- ‘no advisories’ on MOT on a car at this price range is the least you expect. Makes me wonder if in the past you’ve had some
- No description of mileage or service history (although pic suggests very respectable 47k), which given both are critical to the price makes me think not mentioned as not good eg 147k miles and Cat D
- ‘condition speaks for itself’... er...no it doesn’t, you need to say what it is, very precisely. Otherwise I’ll assume it’s rusting and won’t start
- POA is really only for valuable/rare cars, whereas a 328 GTS can and should be priced. How you price shows you know your car/market
- being a purist, change of wheels is a worry too, as makes me wonder what else isn’t standard. Would be better to show with original and offer alternative.
On plus side:
- Good number of pics including interior (annoys me when don’t show that)
- Taken in sunshine, not a dark garage
- No rubbish in description about ‘lady drivers’, ‘selling for a friend’ or ‘great investment’.
What wording gives other PHers the hoolies?
https://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1016387
Made me wonder: what wording in a small ad sets your alarm bells ringing?
If you’re the OP on that ad, the wording that made me think something was wrong included:
- Title doesn’t state the make and model, which looks like you don’t know or appreciate it yourself. Always best to include some expertise eg “pre-ABS” model
- ‘no advisories’ on MOT on a car at this price range is the least you expect. Makes me wonder if in the past you’ve had some
- No description of mileage or service history (although pic suggests very respectable 47k), which given both are critical to the price makes me think not mentioned as not good eg 147k miles and Cat D
- ‘condition speaks for itself’... er...no it doesn’t, you need to say what it is, very precisely. Otherwise I’ll assume it’s rusting and won’t start
- POA is really only for valuable/rare cars, whereas a 328 GTS can and should be priced. How you price shows you know your car/market
- being a purist, change of wheels is a worry too, as makes me wonder what else isn’t standard. Would be better to show with original and offer alternative.
On plus side:
- Good number of pics including interior (annoys me when don’t show that)
- Taken in sunshine, not a dark garage
- No rubbish in description about ‘lady drivers’, ‘selling for a friend’ or ‘great investment’.
What wording gives other PHers the hoolies?
Edited by 67Dino on Sunday 16th September 10:00
I’m currently looking for a cheap runabout at the moment and I’m surprised by some of the adverts and pictures of cars that haven’t even been cleaned out let alone hoovered.
I’ve been using https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history to check the cars history as I think this could be a good indicator of how the car’s been maintained.
I’ve been using https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history to check the cars history as I think this could be a good indicator of how the car’s been maintained.
Frimley111R said:
'<Insert issue with car>...but easy fix'
So easy they didn't bother.
'Air con needs a regas'
Or a new compressor..
100% agree.So easy they didn't bother.
'Air con needs a regas'
Or a new compressor..
"Aircon regas" gets me going. For the sake of £35 at Halfords or £55 at Kwik fit it's a no brainer, or "should cost no more than a tenner to fix", tells me all I need to know about the vendor.
Another thing is when they obscure the number plate, always triggers alarm bells because checking MOT history is part and parcel of deciding whether a motor is half decent or not. It's shocking to see the number of fails / advisories on "tread depth" these days.
For me it’s when the vendor talks a load of balls with very little details about the condition and history the actual car being sold. Take this example from eBay today what a load of tosh.
...
Roll up, Roll up!
Cast your eyes on this black beauty!
Manufactured in 2005 and registered by Sytner BMW September this stunning BMW 330ci M Sport first graced the roads.
Costing in excess of £34,000 new the car came with, not only creme deal creme of options and equipment but also that sporting executive image!
The metallic black paint still has its lust, depth and intrigue more than 12 years on, showing a couple of light marks as to be expected even on a grey day this car still looks as good as it ever did!
Sat on freshly refurbished BMW’s iconic 18” MV2 style wheel, synonymous with the e46 with 4 excellent tyres (2 brand new) this curvaceous coupe is ready to roll.
And when the sun isn’t shining? This M sport equipped car can still have its M Sport derived suspension tested with the original xenon headlights to light the way, it’s extensively handsome M sport body kit making those aerodynamic and aesthetic advantages that step above its competitors! They will only see its new age LED rear light clusters breaking away into the darkness.
Stepping inside this award winning coupe, you’ll find the sumptuous black leather electric memory M sport seats to hold you tight with any flamboyant driving.
Auto headlights and wipers take away the ever stressful thought of when is the right time to use such items and keeps your attention on the road in hand.
Whilst you’re sat in the climate controlled cabin the widescreen sat nav will give you directions to your next destination though some exquisite Harmon Kardon speakers.
Powering this ultimate driving machine is the one and only m54 3 litre straight six, it’s the best BMW ever made and this one certainly shows why it gained its tag line of a “silky six”. It’s wonderful, unmistakeable exhaust note hints at the performance and refinement this motor offers it is certainly strong and only just run in at its current mileage. Having had a recent service including oil, plugs, viscous fan, power steering fluid refresh and a couple of coil packs it’s certainly a joy to pilot.
Mated to the 5 speed automatic gearbox which is renowned to be one of the best ever made It shifts without fault and makes driving this flagship 3 series a true joy to cover continents.
The car has a recent MOT and is ready to take you on your next adventure. As you’d expect of a car this age there are a couple of foibles. The sat nav screen has a couple of dead pixels and the boot release button has stopped releasing, access can still be had by using the key to unlock and release the lid, and the traction control light occasionally flickers on but doesn’t affect the way the car drives.
Now for the businessy part..... you bid to buy not to negotiate. This is a second hand car and is not perfect, but is in very nice condition. Viewing is welcome any day of the week and I’ve tried my best to describe the car.
Uk bidders only and cash on collection within 7 days of auction end. 99p start and no reserve so whatever it makes is what it will sell for, so come and grab a Bavarian bargain. Please
...
Roll up, Roll up!
Cast your eyes on this black beauty!
Manufactured in 2005 and registered by Sytner BMW September this stunning BMW 330ci M Sport first graced the roads.
Costing in excess of £34,000 new the car came with, not only creme deal creme of options and equipment but also that sporting executive image!
The metallic black paint still has its lust, depth and intrigue more than 12 years on, showing a couple of light marks as to be expected even on a grey day this car still looks as good as it ever did!
Sat on freshly refurbished BMW’s iconic 18” MV2 style wheel, synonymous with the e46 with 4 excellent tyres (2 brand new) this curvaceous coupe is ready to roll.
And when the sun isn’t shining? This M sport equipped car can still have its M Sport derived suspension tested with the original xenon headlights to light the way, it’s extensively handsome M sport body kit making those aerodynamic and aesthetic advantages that step above its competitors! They will only see its new age LED rear light clusters breaking away into the darkness.
Stepping inside this award winning coupe, you’ll find the sumptuous black leather electric memory M sport seats to hold you tight with any flamboyant driving.
Auto headlights and wipers take away the ever stressful thought of when is the right time to use such items and keeps your attention on the road in hand.
Whilst you’re sat in the climate controlled cabin the widescreen sat nav will give you directions to your next destination though some exquisite Harmon Kardon speakers.
Powering this ultimate driving machine is the one and only m54 3 litre straight six, it’s the best BMW ever made and this one certainly shows why it gained its tag line of a “silky six”. It’s wonderful, unmistakeable exhaust note hints at the performance and refinement this motor offers it is certainly strong and only just run in at its current mileage. Having had a recent service including oil, plugs, viscous fan, power steering fluid refresh and a couple of coil packs it’s certainly a joy to pilot.
Mated to the 5 speed automatic gearbox which is renowned to be one of the best ever made It shifts without fault and makes driving this flagship 3 series a true joy to cover continents.
The car has a recent MOT and is ready to take you on your next adventure. As you’d expect of a car this age there are a couple of foibles. The sat nav screen has a couple of dead pixels and the boot release button has stopped releasing, access can still be had by using the key to unlock and release the lid, and the traction control light occasionally flickers on but doesn’t affect the way the car drives.
Now for the businessy part..... you bid to buy not to negotiate. This is a second hand car and is not perfect, but is in very nice condition. Viewing is welcome any day of the week and I’ve tried my best to describe the car.
Uk bidders only and cash on collection within 7 days of auction end. 99p start and no reserve so whatever it makes is what it will sell for, so come and grab a Bavarian bargain. Please
rallycross said:
For me it’s when the vendor talks a load of balls with very little details about the condition and history the actual car being sold. Take this example from eBay today what a load of tosh.
“sporting executive image”“curvaceous coupe is ready to roll”
“see its new age LED rear light clusters breaking away into the darkness”
“sport seats to hold you tight with any flamboyant driving”
“exquisite Harmon Kardon speakers”
“a true joy to cover continents”
“ready to take you on your next adventure”
Not so much a warning sign but more of an annoyance. Covering up number plates. Annoying as I might want to run an exact insurance quote, my own HPI, or MOT history before even engaging with the seller, and to save me the hassle and you the hassle of having an extra step to getting the number, it's just easier to have it in the advert.
Fine if you cover up your number plate when posting general pictures up on forums and what not, I do it, but I'm not trying to sell my car, when I come to sell it I'll put it up with the number plates in view.
Fine if you cover up your number plate when posting general pictures up on forums and what not, I do it, but I'm not trying to sell my car, when I come to sell it I'll put it up with the number plates in view.
KingNothing said:
Not so much a warning sign but more of an annoyance. Covering up number plates. Annoying as I might want to run an exact insurance quote, my own HPI, or MOT history before even engaging with the seller, and to save me the hassle and you the hassle of having an extra step to getting the number, it's just easier to have it in the advert.
Fine if you cover up your number plate when posting general pictures up on forums and what not, I do it, but I'm not trying to sell my car, when I come to sell it I'll put it up with the number plates in view.
I always cover my plate in every situation online. Last year I didn't when I sold my 530d on auto trader , within 1 week it had been cloned and got tickets on the other side of the country, luckily nothing major. Fine if you cover up your number plate when posting general pictures up on forums and what not, I do it, but I'm not trying to sell my car, when I come to sell it I'll put it up with the number plates in view.
Police and the relevant agency were helpful and it was resolved. The car was identical bar the number plate was printed badly over to one side on the pictured car.
It's a lot of hassle, I absolutely would cover the number plate online !!!
67Dino said:
“sporting executive image”
“curvaceous coupe is ready to roll”
“see its new age LED rear light clusters breaking away into the darkness”
“sport seats to hold you tight with any flamboyant driving”
“exquisite Harmon Kardon speakers”
“a true joy to cover continents”
“ready to take you on your next adventure”
Sold!“curvaceous coupe is ready to roll”
“see its new age LED rear light clusters breaking away into the darkness”
“sport seats to hold you tight with any flamboyant driving”
“exquisite Harmon Kardon speakers”
“a true joy to cover continents”
“ready to take you on your next adventure”
Out of interest what was it?
KingNothing said:
Not so much a warning sign but more of an annoyance. Covering up number plates. Annoying as I might want to run an exact insurance quote, my own HPI, or MOT history before even engaging with the seller, and to save me the hassle and you the hassle of having an extra step to getting the number, it's just easier to have it in the advert.
And if you're like me, recently looking to buy a used car of which there are a lot of examples knocking about (i.e. common ex-fleet and lease vehicles), the two dealers near me who pulled that stunt on their adverts didn't even get a second look, I just moved on to the next one. I have no idea what they think they're achieving doing this, unless of course ....... a couple of years back I was helping a friend look for a car for her daughter to learn in. She'd found this car that was on one of those dealer's sites where the photos are taken in a nice white-painted garage - with, of course, plates covered. Amusingly though, scrolling through their other cars, the one she was interested in was parked in the background of one of the photos with plates uncovered. Predictably, it had an MOT history that showed it was owned by someone who thought car maintenance was optional.
Or as above, again,for security.
A friend worked in an independent used sales garage and their plates got cloned and even physically removed all the time.
If you have a stolen Blue Audi A5 S line to move.....
Autotrader
Audi A5
Blue filter
S line model filter
Age filter
There's your legal number plate which you can check online to ensure its taxed,motd and insured...
A friend worked in an independent used sales garage and their plates got cloned and even physically removed all the time.
If you have a stolen Blue Audi A5 S line to move.....
Autotrader
Audi A5
Blue filter
S line model filter
Age filter
There's your legal number plate which you can check online to ensure its taxed,motd and insured...
RemyMartin81D said:
67Dino said:
“sporting executive image”
“curvaceous coupe is ready to roll”
“see its new age LED rear light clusters breaking away into the darkness”
“sport seats to hold you tight with any flamboyant driving”
“exquisite Harmon Kardon speakers”
“a true joy to cover continents”
“ready to take you on your next adventure”
Sold!“curvaceous coupe is ready to roll”
“see its new age LED rear light clusters breaking away into the darkness”
“sport seats to hold you tight with any flamboyant driving”
“exquisite Harmon Kardon speakers”
“a true joy to cover continents”
“ready to take you on your next adventure”
Out of interest what was it?
Only kidding. Was from an ad that RemyMartin81D spotted for a BMW 330ci M Sport.
M4cruiser said:
"Rare model"
... what they mean is they can charge a lot more than it's really worth.
Annoys me a lot because I'm usually going for an automatic, and it seems all autos are "rare". Rubbish!
Totally agree. And even worse when the rarity is caused by having counted only cars of the same colour/spec etc. e.g. "Rare 1986 automatic model in Puce Green with optional brown floor mats, one of only 5 in this spec". Yes, and also happens to be the only one with that number plate and a large rust patch on the driver's sill, but neither of those makes it valuable either. ... what they mean is they can charge a lot more than it's really worth.
Annoys me a lot because I'm usually going for an automatic, and it seems all autos are "rare". Rubbish!
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff