To Service pre-sale or not?

[OldChap]

I'm after some advice, please. I bought my 981S Boxster when it was just over a year old, from a Porsche Main Dealer, and have now owned it for over 10 enjoyable years, and 82,000 miles (I normally change every couple of years, but it's a great car). I'm now selling it and wonder should I sell it as it stands, or as it's been regularly serviced at a main dealer and has the extended warranty, should I pre-sale, have it serviced again, this time the 12 year service, at a cost of £1892, plus extend the warranty, which will be another £1200. My dilemma is, will I recoup the £3000 I've spent in the resale price?

[JonPH]

I doubt on the base value of it you’ll get £3k back. It could also cost you more.

I’d look to get it sold now and see how that progresses before investing £3k+.

[DJMC]

Assuming it's £20k plus, you'll be selling to a dealer after wasting your money on a private ad.

Buyers at that price mostly want dealer facilities, i.e. a warranty and finance.

So, don't bother.

Edited by DJMC on Sunday 30th June 16:18

[981Boxess]

If it is a decent car with reasonable spec you will easily find a private buyer for it with that history, especially this time of year.

Once you have a buyer lined up give them the choice of what they want and are willing to pay for, I would not pay to service it myself otherwise.

The warranty extension is currently £1310 for 2 years, 1 year is just over half that, so not sure where your £1200 is coming from?

[OldChap]

Thanks for the advice; I'll go with the common consensus and advertise it in a couple of weeks as it stands. My price for the warranty is clearly out of date, another reason not to renew.

[Ken_Code]

When I’ve sold nice cars due a service I’ve used that as part of the haggling process. If the buyer wants a few thousand pounds off they can take it as-is, but if they pay the full advertised price I’ll service it before collection.

[supersport]

I would expect to find a car that is due a service to be serviced, otherwise I am negotiating.

The warranty is entirely separate and I wouldn't be renewing that. I wouldn't be expecting a 981 to have a warranty on it.

[981Boxess]

OldChap said:

My price for the warranty is clearly out of date, another reason not to renew.

My point was a year would be around £700, less than your quoted £1200.

[the-norseman]

When is it actually due its next service?

[Youforreal.]

supersport said:

I would expect to find a car that is due a service to be serviced, otherwise I am negotiating.

The warranty is entirely separate and I wouldn't be renewing that. I wouldn't be expecting a 981 to have a warranty on it.

On my 981 gt4, if I still have it at 10 years old I’ll be keeping it (which looks likely) at that point I’ll be getting all the parts needed from Porsche, taking some pics while I do the work, print them and file with the invoice in my file for the car.

I hate leaving the car with anyone to work on it, at least doing it myself I know it’s actually been done.

[Ed.Neumann]

When is the service due?

When is the warranty due?


If the warranty is due before the service get it extended now, you can then sell it privately with at least 12 months Porsche warranty on it for £700. That is a bargain and a real selling point for a private sale.
You can extend it over the phone if the service is not actually due yet.


The new buyer can then decide where they want to do the servicing. The terms are a bit dubious, but as said, if you buy the parts from Porsche and use them they will allow the warranty.

[OldChap]

Service and warranty are both due at the beginning of September; I'm putting it up for sale in the next couple of weeks.

[Ed.Neumann]

OldChap said:

Service and warranty are both due at the beginning of September; I'm putting it up for sale in the next couple of weeks.

If it were me, I would get it up for sale next week, and put in the advert that the warranty is still on the car so the owner can chose to renew it if they wish. And just put that the service will be due but will wait work with the buyer in case they want to go indi.

Price it accordingly.


You ideally want as long as possible before sale and renewal for the new owner. They can then decide, someone may be thinking, it gives me a month to sort any issues, it also might allow someone to get into a car newer and lower miles than from an OPC knowing that they can pay a couple of grand in a months time and have the same cover.



Speak to some OPCs as well, I reckon you can get a quote for around £1400 for that service if you shop around, and the warranty is around £7-800, not £1200.

So have the quote of £2k ready.