Best way to sell a used engine

[Whatapex]

I'm about to sell the engine from one of my cars and was wondering what the best way would be.
Let potential buyers come and have a look and hear it run. If we agree on a deal then take a deposit and come and collect it a few days later.
Or, record a video of it running and have something in the video to prove the date, maybe that days newspaper.
This isn't a very common engine and the only ones I've seen for sale in the last few months have been non runners so I'm thinking that a potential buyers will want to make sure it is indeed a running engine.
What would you guys do ?

[Krikkit]

I'd let them come see it running, but put a video on the listing. In the video write your username for whatever site, the date etc as "proof"

If a buyer isn't bothered to see it in person at least they've seen a genuine video of it running.

[Catnip64]

What engine are you selling and how many miles has the car done?
If it's likely to attract an enthusiast then suggest they help you to remove the engine after they hearing it running.

[Whatapex]

Krikkit said:

I'd let them come see it running, but put a video on the listing. In the video write your username for whatever site, the date etc as "proof"

If a buyer isn't bothered to see it in person at least they've seen a genuine video of it running.

Maybe that's the best idea,leave it in the car until someone puts a deposit on it and then leave it up to them whether they're happy with just a video or if they'll wan't see it running and then come back another day to collect it.

[Whatapex]

Catnip64 said:

What engine are you selling and how many miles has the car done?
If it's likely to attract an enthusiast then suggest they help you to remove the engine after they hearing it running.

Not sure if i should mention what engine it is on here as it might be seen as advertising ?
My local garage will be removing it as i don't have the facilities to do it myself.

[KTMsm]

Leave it in the car and give the buyers the choice if they want to see it etc

Personally I'd only buy an engine I've seen running and I'd prefer to remove it myself too

The only other way I've done it is to get the garage who removed it, to fit it - then if there's an issue it's with them

[Whatapex]

KTMsm said:

Leave it in the car and give the buyers the choice if they want to see it etc

Personally I'd only buy an engine I've seen running and I'd prefer to remove it myself too

The only other way I've done it is to get the garage who removed it, to fit it - then if there's an issue it's with them

Yes I wouldn't buy an engine either without seeing it running, just didn't know if people would rely on a recent video.
It's an engine from the 80's so not sure how much help a garage would offer should there be any issues.

[KTMsm]

Some will, many people buy them everyday without hearing them run and then discover they're no good

The last engine I bought was for BMW 330, a specialist had taken it out to fit an upgraded engine

I bought it off the car's owner but The garage confirmed it was good so I got them to fit it in my car - needless to say, if it then hadn't been any good they wouldn't have been paid

[Whatapex]

KTMsm said:

Some will, many people buy them everyday without hearing them run and then discover they're no good

The last engine I bought was for BMW 330, a specialist had taken it out to fit an upgraded engine

I bought it off the car's owner but The garage confirmed it was good so I got them to fit it in my car - needless to say, if it then hadn't been any good they wouldn't have been paid

Yeah i know people will sometimes buy an engine hoping it's actually any good. The few ones i've found for sale are all "stored for a few years,was running when stored".
Don't think i'll get much more for it because it's a running engine,but should hopefully make it a bit easier so sell. Would also prefer that people can see what they're buying.

[philrs03]

Completely agree with a comment above. I’d want to see/hear it running and absolutely take on the responsibility of removing myself. There are some absolute lunatics (not saying you are one) who rip engines out via the fastest means, cutting hoses, losing potentially hard to come by components etc which presentationally in photos look ok but in person, look like they’ve been removed with a hand grenade. I personally would rather the extra admin of having to sort out the removal, however that looks, myself. It’s ALWAYS (in my experience) cheaper and less nause than the alternative!

[Whatapex]

I know,i'm lucky though as the local garage owner is very much in to these cars and there will be no cutting anything as pretty much everything will go with the engine. Loom,hoses,ecu,fusebox etc etc.

[philrs03]

Whatapex said:

I know,i'm lucky though as the local garage owner is very much in to these cars and there will be no cutting anything as pretty much everything will go with the engine. Loom,hoses,ecu,fusebox etc etc.

The only issue (and please mate only take this as advice from someone who’s overly cautious when buying stuff), is convincing the buyer. In reality, translate to sticking your neck on the line for the garage. Which may or may not be anything to worry about, but unless within Marque circles it’s a well known establishment unfortunately it’s a hard sell. We all know people we’d absolutely trust to do mechanical work for us, but convincing others especially when parting with cash as you know can be trickier. What engine is it out of interest?