Selling my car - to service or not to service

[taylor86]

I am in the process of selling my e46 330ci sport, it is due an inspection 2 in 2500 miles.

My question is do i pay £300 for a service and put up a price i would like OR knock off a little to improve the chances of it selling.

What are your thoughts?

[M-J-B]

I sold a 3 year old 996 (owned from new) having just spent 2 weeks previously £3000 on brakes, clutch, MOT and warranty.

Firstly I'm not sure the clutch and brakes actually needed doing (but that's another story), and to this day I think I wasted a lot of money thinking it was important - it wasn't.

I would be honest, bu t reflect the lack of service to some degree in the sale price.

[williamp]

I doubt you're likely to recoup the costs of the service. However, having a recent servie will help sell the car.

If there are two simmilar cars, with simmilar spec and colour, at the same price. The one with the recent service will sell first

[sjj84]

I'd get the service done. It'll make the car easier to sell to start with. Also, if you don't get the service done and adjust the price accordingly for the advert, people will still come along and say it's due a service soon and try and knock you down.

[Matt UK]

sjj84 said:

I'd get the service done. It'll make the car easier to sell to start with. Also, if you don't get the service done and adjust the price accordingly for the advert, people will still come along and say it's due a service soon and try and knock you down.

This

[taylor86]

Thought as much! Shall be servicing it as soon as then.

Im going to miss it

[Sticks.]

How about advertising the car as it is and offering to service it if the full asking price is paid (in which your likely cost is alowed for), or accept a discounted price without?

[Devil2575]

Any potential buyer who has done their home work will know about the service schedule and know that the inspection 2 is the big one. So a car that is due it in a few thousand miles is going to be worth less in many buyers eyes. However many/most people don't do their homework.

Personally I wouldn't do it. It's not due yet and I don't think you will recoup the costs.

Your time and effort would be far better spent polishing the car to within an inch of it's life and taking some decent high quality pics.

[LC23]

I purchased my current 330Ci with the Insp II service due in 1,000 miles. This was reflected in the price and I took the "risk" of paying out for the service and anything else that needed doing. I did know that common wear points had already been sorted though thanks to looking through the previous service docs and only the rear diff seals needed doing (an extra £20 all in) on top of the service. Not everyone may be willing to chance it however, especially on the Insp. II.

[TX1]

When I had inspection 2 on my e46 I was quoted around £300-350 however by the time the garage had their way it was around £850. So keep that in mind as they are likely to find something else wrong when they are at it. Personally I would sell it the way it is as 2500 still few miles left.

[briers]

I'm currently looking at a 335d - it's just about to run out on this guys PCP. 3 years.

It's due for a service soon, hasn't had it's brakes done, is in need of some new tyres and hasn't had it's MOT yet (dreaded cracked alloys found on MOT's etc).

It's been on auto trader for 30 days, despite being a good colour and spec and lowish mileage but the guy has re-advertised at a lower price.

But even at the lower price it still puts me off that he's dumping the car now it needs a few things doing.

Edited by briers on Thursday 3rd June 17:38

Edited by briers on Thursday 3rd June 17:39