Selling car that needs a service, OPC or indie?

[satans worm]

Hi

Trying to sell my 2000 Boxster S at the mo that currently has a FPSH, problem is it is due a mot and service in the next couple of weeks, should I break the FPSH and go with a indie garage saving some cash, or stick to the OPC to help sell?? It has very low miles and so i guess might appeal more to perfectionist type person who would prefer the opc??? Or am I talking rollocks?

Also, anybody know of a good indie in the suffolk area I could use if i go down that route??

Thanks

[Vesuvius 996]

satans worm said:

Hi

Trying to sell my 2000 Boxster S at the mo that currently has a FPSH, problem is it is due a mot and service in the next couple of weeks, should I break the FPSH and go with a indie garage saving some cash, or stick to the OPC to help sell?? It has very low miles and so i guess might appeal more to perfectionist type person who would prefer the opc??? Or am I talking rollocks?

Also, anybody know of a good indie in the suffolk area I could use if i go down that route??

Thanks

Don't be daft.

For every hundred quid you save uding an indy for the service, you'll lose three hundred off the price that a non enthusiast buyer will pay for your car.

An enthusiast would probably not mind, but the majority of buyers would think you'd skimped.

[anonymous-user]

Get the MOT but leave the service and give the buyer the option to either get it done himself or let you do it. Either way you can limit your downside by not putting your hands too deep into your pocket up until you know you have a buyer. Risk clearly is that its left without a service after the interval but you've got a couple of weeks left so advertise early and leave it open.

[2something]

Just be warned that if you go OPC route and they decide something needs doing, they will put it under technicians notes or similar. So when you get a potential buyer and you tell them it's just been serviced, they would be a mug or someone who buys a VXR from a guy named Imran not to ask for the service printout.

"ah it says here you need new discs and pads all round, I'll knock 1k off your price" type thing.

I am not advocating hiding something, if it needs to be done, just warning that there are varying degrees of OPC zealousness out there. If your buyer wouldn't appreciate your having used a good indy, they probably wouldn't appreciate that the discs and pads don't really need doing.

ETA: so I agree with Ravi. Also that last bit might be a bit confusing ...

Edited by 2something on Thursday 16th August 13:25

[Fidgits]

Ravi944 said:

Get the MOT but leave the service and give the buyer the option to either get it done himself or let you do it. Either way you can limit your downside by not putting your hands too deep into your pocket up until you know you have a buyer. Risk clearly is that its left without a service after the interval but you've got a couple of weeks left so advertise early and leave it open.

This is, erm, okay advice - but buyers will expect a significant chunk of money under list - not just for the service, but 'incidentals'.

Having just done a service will sell it quicker and easier, and give the buyer a bit of peace of mind.

As for OPC vs Indy - it depends on the buyer, for some it wont matter (especially if its a well known indy) others it will.

As Soov says, ask for the 'menu service' from the OPC - that'd give you the best selling price (the extra Porsche stamp will add just a touch more) - but that all comes down to what your cars worth, and how much you think you can get for it, vs what its worth vs what someones prepared to pay!

[thegoose]

Ravi944 said:

Get the MOT but leave the service and give the buyer the option to either get it done himself or let you do it. Either way you can limit your downside by not putting your hands too deep into your pocket up until you know you have a buyer. Risk clearly is that its left without a service after the interval but you've got a couple of weeks left so advertise early and leave it open.

This sounds the best advice. Arm yourself with the OPC menu price and Indy price first, just in case a buyer turns up wanting to take the car away there & then but (quite reasonably) wants a discount for the service being due.

The buyer may want to get an OPC warranty and if so the mandatory inspection for this will usually cost nothing if done at the same time as a service. If you get it serviced and the inspection sheet filled out before selling it, you will need to take out the warranty straight away - there is no grace period. The total is quite a bit to fork out when you have yet to find a customer (who may prefer a lower price than a warranty).

Regarding going slightly over the due time for the service - put yourself in the buyer's position. Would you rather buy a car that was serviced a few weeks/months ago, or, having only covered few miles anyway, one that is freshly serviced for you when you buy it?

[Silver993tt]

Get it serviced at a spacialist, getter a better job done at half the price. Then take it to an OPC for the 111 point check, costing about £200. That will be the best 'certificate' for a sale.

[2something]

Also if you don't sell privately and sell to OPC they will probably give you the book value regadless of if it's been serviced or not. With Indies I am *guessing* some will take the service into account, some won't.

[thegoose]

Silver993tt said:

Get it serviced at a spacialist, getter a better job done at half the price. Then take it to an OPC for the 111 point check, costing about £200. That will be the best 'certificate' for a sale.

The total for this would cost more than a minor OPC service with FOC inspection.

[anonymous-user]

Ultimately it depends on who the target market is and what their key purchasing criteria are! Personally, I'd always be inclined to play with a straight bat and give a little optionality. If you have your price in mind then stick with it and don't get lo-balled. Good Porsche always get good money because demand is out there. Good luck! More importantly, what's next on the horizon?

[thegoose]

Ravi944 said:

optionality

..if a word doesn't exist, just make one up!!

[hoges11]

thegoose said:

Ravi944 said:

optionality

..if a word doesn't exist, just make one up!!

Exists where I come from !

[satans worm]

Ravi944 said:

More importantly, what's next on the horizon?

Sadley nothing I am just starting to build my own house and had a shocker on the foundation costs(needs to be piled) so my P&J of 4 years has to go

I think i might just take it to the OPC so they can give me one last screw!!!