Has it now become a nightmare to sell a private car...?
Discussion
Had my car for sale for 5 weeks now and what an unpleasant experience it has been... Seemingly dealing with societies imbeciles on a regular basis it has made me think if it's worth it at all.
I advertised my car in the usual places, priced slightly cheaper than the average for year/mileage etc and have lowered it substantially throughout the period so that it now sits at a price where the bottom of the market is (although the car clearly stands head and shoulders above most of the cars around it regarding mileage/full main dealer history etc).
The enquiries I have had: 1 viewing (at full price) - test drive but chap then told me he only had 1/3 of what I was asking!
Various part ex deals for cat d cars and basically any car but the ones I stated I would do a deal with.
2 Reasonable chaps who were interested but hadn't sold their cars yet.
1 chap who wanted me to drive the car 250 miles to his home for a viewing at a date and time chosen by him sometime in the coming 4 weeks.
1 bloke who wanted another £500 quid off the bottom price and to pay me weekly for the car!!!
Numerous (about 8-10)phone bidders with a rudimentary grasp of the english language that had no interest in viewing car and started of every conversation with "whats your absolute bottom price" in the hope that I would (A) reply 'Glad you called, I'm sick of looking at the car please come and take it off my hands, I will even tax and insure it for you' or (B) 'Thank god you rang, I've just become hopelessly addicted to smoking crack so your offer of a couple of grand should see the week out for me'
No one it seems, views cars anymore, places any value on service history, places any value on mileage, condition or maintenance or infact wants to know anything about them. The only factor is how cheap something is!!!
I only want to sell the car as the mrs won't drive it but it seems if I want to part with the car its got to be literally given away...
p.s forgot to mention the 2 chaps who wanted to buy it for near asking price and would come with deposit next day then never contacted me again...
I advertised my car in the usual places, priced slightly cheaper than the average for year/mileage etc and have lowered it substantially throughout the period so that it now sits at a price where the bottom of the market is (although the car clearly stands head and shoulders above most of the cars around it regarding mileage/full main dealer history etc).
The enquiries I have had: 1 viewing (at full price) - test drive but chap then told me he only had 1/3 of what I was asking!
Various part ex deals for cat d cars and basically any car but the ones I stated I would do a deal with.
2 Reasonable chaps who were interested but hadn't sold their cars yet.
1 chap who wanted me to drive the car 250 miles to his home for a viewing at a date and time chosen by him sometime in the coming 4 weeks.
1 bloke who wanted another £500 quid off the bottom price and to pay me weekly for the car!!!
Numerous (about 8-10)phone bidders with a rudimentary grasp of the english language that had no interest in viewing car and started of every conversation with "whats your absolute bottom price" in the hope that I would (A) reply 'Glad you called, I'm sick of looking at the car please come and take it off my hands, I will even tax and insure it for you' or (B) 'Thank god you rang, I've just become hopelessly addicted to smoking crack so your offer of a couple of grand should see the week out for me'
No one it seems, views cars anymore, places any value on service history, places any value on mileage, condition or maintenance or infact wants to know anything about them. The only factor is how cheap something is!!!
I only want to sell the car as the mrs won't drive it but it seems if I want to part with the car its got to be literally given away...
p.s forgot to mention the 2 chaps who wanted to buy it for near asking price and would come with deposit next day then never contacted me again...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2602516.htm
Fao the moose!
It was previously on as a premium ad and had a lot more pics..
Fao the moose!
It was previously on as a premium ad and had a lot more pics..
I think it's just the type of car. Lots of people won't be after these now with the price of fuel. I wouldn't reduce it any further because this one has sold for just a bit less.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2564222.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2564222.htm
Colour may be putting some off as foolishly I bought on condition instead 
Started it at £8K and gradually reduced it as it just sits there looking forlorn until I take it out for spin every weekend to keep it running.
Had it in trader for 3 weeks with photos of engine/interior etc so apart from biding my time theres not much more to do.
Ironically PH classifieds had a salvage one that sold for £5995 according to ad!
edit: did ebay as well got 20 watchers and no bids (starting bid of £6700 iirc)
Started it at £8K and gradually reduced it as it just sits there looking forlorn until I take it out for spin every weekend to keep it running.
Had it in trader for 3 weeks with photos of engine/interior etc so apart from biding my time theres not much more to do.
Ironically PH classifieds had a salvage one that sold for £5995 according to ad!
edit: did ebay as well got 20 watchers and no bids (starting bid of £6700 iirc)
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 27th April 09:38
SlimRick said:
Put it on Ebay with a 99p start price, no reserve (but a friend ready to bid up to your minimum sale price if necessary)
I sold my Skyline this way - in the end it had over 400 watchers and reached well over the minimum sale price I wanted for it.
You need to be careful doing that.I sold my Skyline this way - in the end it had over 400 watchers and reached well over the minimum sale price I wanted for it.
Just to clarify Im not hiding anything on the car and the damage eventually amounted to a bonnet, bumper and oil cooler replaced as a precaution. I asked for a copy if the repair for my records so I could provide evidence that it wasn't a cheap repair. All done by main dealer. It isn't registered as such and is guaranteed for life of the car.
As for me thinking its down on power that's probably just my perception but read the posts and you'll have noted I'm having it checked over as a precaution.
If this puts people off then so be it however I'm not about to put in the advert about the repair bit as I mentioned if anyone bothers to come acnd view then the paperwork is there to view.
Forgot that everyone on Ph has owned their cars from new and can verify no panel has ever been marked.
As for me thinking its down on power that's probably just my perception but read the posts and you'll have noted I'm having it checked over as a precaution.
If this puts people off then so be it however I'm not about to put in the advert about the repair bit as I mentioned if anyone bothers to come acnd view then the paperwork is there to view.
Forgot that everyone on Ph has owned their cars from new and can verify no panel has ever been marked.
STW2010 - Do you know what you are talking about or are you another internet jockey that appears to fit the old adage "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing"
For the record AGAIN - The car was repaired VIA THE INSURANCE COMPANY at BMW Main Agent as specified in policy terms and conditions!
The full disclosure of the repair is with the documents of the car 'WHICH I REQUESTED FROM BMW' when they repaired the car so i could provide evidence that any works to the car had been carried out to factory standards with OEM parts. This carries a lifetime guarantee!
CAT D is a uneconomical to repair and means the insurance has paid out the value of the car to the insured and disposed of the car as they deemed fit. i.e either salvage or bought back by owner.
When you sell a car do you put in the advert statements such as 'damaged bumper in a parking incident 2 years ago/knocked off wing mirror on a garage wall/buckled wheel on a pothole etc
Of course you dont and im not about to put that in my advert. I reckon you will find 90% of cars will have had some sort of repair done in their time to bodywork so your holier than thou attitude rankles me.
As i said if someone asks me then I will tell them but I cant see that as the car has had a bumper and bonnet etc after a jogging pace bump all repaired by a main agent that it is now unsaleable and I should evidently sell it for scrap value.
For the record AGAIN - The car was repaired VIA THE INSURANCE COMPANY at BMW Main Agent as specified in policy terms and conditions!
The full disclosure of the repair is with the documents of the car 'WHICH I REQUESTED FROM BMW' when they repaired the car so i could provide evidence that any works to the car had been carried out to factory standards with OEM parts. This carries a lifetime guarantee!
CAT D is a uneconomical to repair and means the insurance has paid out the value of the car to the insured and disposed of the car as they deemed fit. i.e either salvage or bought back by owner.
When you sell a car do you put in the advert statements such as 'damaged bumper in a parking incident 2 years ago/knocked off wing mirror on a garage wall/buckled wheel on a pothole etc
Of course you dont and im not about to put that in my advert. I reckon you will find 90% of cars will have had some sort of repair done in their time to bodywork so your holier than thou attitude rankles me.
As i said if someone asks me then I will tell them but I cant see that as the car has had a bumper and bonnet etc after a jogging pace bump all repaired by a main agent that it is now unsaleable and I should evidently sell it for scrap value.
so the consensus of the discussion is that I should declare it on the advert i.e car has had a bumper bonnet after low impact bump?
Now if this is how it should be I dont have a problem with it, but I would like to know how many others would do the same?
The trouble is PH regulars are, I would imagine more tolerant and understanding that it doensn't make a blind bit of difference to the car apart from its now like a showroom fresh front end.
I would be more concerned about a knackered engine than a new bonnet tbh
However not everyone is a PH'er and like it has been stated most of the great unwashed will instantly disregard the advert or offer me £2k innit bro.
Opinions,
Now if this is how it should be I dont have a problem with it, but I would like to know how many others would do the same?
The trouble is PH regulars are, I would imagine more tolerant and understanding that it doensn't make a blind bit of difference to the car apart from its now like a showroom fresh front end.
I would be more concerned about a knackered engine than a new bonnet tbh
However not everyone is a PH'er and like it has been stated most of the great unwashed will instantly disregard the advert or offer me £2k innit bro.
Opinions,
I would like to add that I am one of these typical car mad buffoons that buy a car, proceed to spend thousands on it to make it pristine as I dont want to drive something that isnt 100% and certainly dont want my little girl being transported in anything unsound.
Then once its almost concours and Ive spent the purchase price again on fixing every little squeak, mark and issue...I sell it for a massive loss (usually £1000's) and start the whole process again.
Why I don't know...
Example MR2 turbo...paid £2500....spent £8000...forged engine. T4 turbo etc new Gbox (didnt need it just thought it would be better)sold for £2200... I am a Nutter.
Then once its almost concours and Ive spent the purchase price again on fixing every little squeak, mark and issue...I sell it for a massive loss (usually £1000's) and start the whole process again.
Why I don't know...
Example MR2 turbo...paid £2500....spent £8000...forged engine. T4 turbo etc new Gbox (didnt need it just thought it would be better)sold for £2200... I am a Nutter.
I take note of all the helpful replies and useful advice but the odd 'let him without sin cast the first stone' contributor annoys me.
The car has had a minor repair. It's not cat d c or anything. It's had both vanos done. (the one guy who viewed it said it was much quieter than the last one he had seen) I'm checking both maf outputs more for myself than any purchaser. The wheels are slightly darker but as near to the original colour as the refurber could get without going the other way.
The history is all genuine and stamped with receipts. For 7k I don't know what people expect, possibly a legally binding guarantee that nothing has gone wrong with the car or will ever do in future perhaps.
The car has had a minor repair. It's not cat d c or anything. It's had both vanos done. (the one guy who viewed it said it was much quieter than the last one he had seen) I'm checking both maf outputs more for myself than any purchaser. The wheels are slightly darker but as near to the original colour as the refurber could get without going the other way.
The history is all genuine and stamped with receipts. For 7k I don't know what people expect, possibly a legally binding guarantee that nothing has gone wrong with the car or will ever do in future perhaps.
Christ! Checked the maf readings when I wrote the ad a month ago and rechecked last week when it was warmer and found lower readings hence I'm looking at it.
Memo for future. Never ask advice on Ph as it will be used against you in future.
Yes its a 170k mile car pal, its cat b, fitted with a Ford crossflow and even that doesn't run .... that make you feel better
Memo for future. Never ask advice on Ph as it will be used against you in future.
Yes its a 170k mile car pal, its cat b, fitted with a Ford crossflow and even that doesn't run .... that make you feel better
I was really pleased when the insurance arranged to have it sorted and the day after I picked it up I had the wheels refurbed to match the shiny paint and 2 new tyres put on (fronts - that were still at 4.5mm) however her indoors started to refuse to drive it anymore and as this means my toddler doesn't get to go to her playgroup now I had my hand forced. :-( I can't afford to buy her a runabout and tax/insure that too so I have no option.
I feel like I haven't got the best out of the car yet though and its a shame.
I feel like I haven't got the best out of the car yet though and its a shame.
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