Private car sales - A sign of the times?
Discussion
I currently have my car for sale, its been live for over a week on a well known auto trading website, with no enquiries whatsoever.
I decided to list as a classified a couple of days ago on a well known online auction site - again, nothing! Not even a message asking for the "last price".
Not sure if its me, or if private car sales are a thing of the past?
I wonder if anyone wants a shiny new thing what a warranty that they are prepared to spend more on, no longer prepared to take a risk on something older and save a few quid in the long run?
A little background about the car, its a small BMW from 2008, very fair condition for age, miles are probably a little high for some (150k).
I always take pride when I sell my cars and I try to be the person I would typically like to buy a car from, in the sense that its just had a full valet, I've had it serviced and put it through an MOT - there were a few items that were advised so have had those all addressed (new tyres.etc), the vehicle essentially has no faults and is good for someone to jump in and drive away.
In terms of pricing, for the particular spec & miles, I feel I've priced it reasonably well at £2.5k given its condition and options. I feel that for the cost its a very decent car - or am I in fact dreaming?
If I needed an affordable economical run-around I would be made up, but the fact is as I now have another car it doesn't fill any gaps.
Anyone else had any trouble shifting at the lower end of the market recently?
Given lease costs these days I would have thought it would have been snapped up by now - a sporty looking coupe that's economical and cheap on tax.
A friend of mine thought that if it was priced affordably it may in fact be putting people off and has suggested raising the price.
I decided to list as a classified a couple of days ago on a well known online auction site - again, nothing! Not even a message asking for the "last price".
Not sure if its me, or if private car sales are a thing of the past?
I wonder if anyone wants a shiny new thing what a warranty that they are prepared to spend more on, no longer prepared to take a risk on something older and save a few quid in the long run?
A little background about the car, its a small BMW from 2008, very fair condition for age, miles are probably a little high for some (150k).
I always take pride when I sell my cars and I try to be the person I would typically like to buy a car from, in the sense that its just had a full valet, I've had it serviced and put it through an MOT - there were a few items that were advised so have had those all addressed (new tyres.etc), the vehicle essentially has no faults and is good for someone to jump in and drive away.
In terms of pricing, for the particular spec & miles, I feel I've priced it reasonably well at £2.5k given its condition and options. I feel that for the cost its a very decent car - or am I in fact dreaming?
If I needed an affordable economical run-around I would be made up, but the fact is as I now have another car it doesn't fill any gaps.
Anyone else had any trouble shifting at the lower end of the market recently?
Given lease costs these days I would have thought it would have been snapped up by now - a sporty looking coupe that's economical and cheap on tax.
A friend of mine thought that if it was priced affordably it may in fact be putting people off and has suggested raising the price.
Edited by AlexGSi2000 on Monday 18th March 09:04
vaud said:
If you create an account on ebay and use advanced search for cars that have actually sold, how does your price compare to actual sold prices vs asking prices?
Seems about right really, I took a look before deciding a price. There are similar models that sold for less, but weren't as nice in terms of spec & condition, some that sold for more with fewer miles.
"Feels" like I'm about right, but would be happy to take a little less. Just seems odd the way its been advertised for over a week with absolutely zero contact.
I've either managed to sell previous cars within a matter of days, or at the least had a good few messages.
May just have to accept it may not be worth what I thought.
If no one is biting then it's probably priced more than a perspective buyer is willing to buy.
You don't mention the exact model. But reading through your post I've been picturing something like a 116d? Think ULEZ is probably also making older, small diesels a lot less desirable at the moment.
You don't mention the exact model. But reading through your post I've been picturing something like a 116d? Think ULEZ is probably also making older, small diesels a lot less desirable at the moment.
Force the issue. Set it as a 10 day auction, no reserve. Accept that you'll get what you get, and that it might not actually go to the highest bidder either.
I think that's what I'm going to do when I sell my high miles 330d. Fresh mot and a wash, detailed description, then up for auction.
I think that's what I'm going to do when I sell my high miles 330d. Fresh mot and a wash, detailed description, then up for auction.
AlexGSi2000 said:
I currently have my car for sale, its been live for over a week on a well known auto trading website, with no enquiries whatsoever.
I decided to list as a classified a couple of days ago on a well known online auction site - again, nothing! Not even a message asking for the "last price".
Not sure if its me, or if private car sales are a thing of the past?
I wonder if anyone wants a shiny new thing what a warranty that they are prepared to spend more on, no longer prepared to take a risk on something older and save a few quid in the long run?
A little background about the car, its a small BMW from 2008, very fair condition for age, miles are probably a little high for some (150k).
I always take pride when I sell my cars and I try to be the person I would typically like to buy a car from, in the sense that its just had a full valet, I've had it serviced and put it through an MOT - there were a few items that were advised so have had those all addressed (new tyres.etc), the vehicle essentially has no faults and is good for someone to jump in and drive away.
In terms of pricing, for the particular spec & miles, I feel I've priced it reasonably well at £2.5k given its condition and options. I feel that for the cost its a very decent car - or am I in fact dreaming?
If I needed an affordable economical run-around I would be made up, but the fact is as I now have another car it doesn't fill any gaps.
Anyone else had any trouble shifting at the lower end of the market recently?
Given lease costs these days I would have thought it would have been snapped up by now - a sporty looking coupe that's economical and cheap on tax.
A friend of mine thought that if it was priced affordably it may in fact be putting people off and has suggested raising the price.
Given its a 16 year old car, and done 150k miles then I suspects its priced to high at £2.5k. You dont say if its a diesel or petrol but unless its a 6 cylinder these petrols had issues with timing chains, and diesels will have lots of potential bork at that mileage. I decided to list as a classified a couple of days ago on a well known online auction site - again, nothing! Not even a message asking for the "last price".
Not sure if its me, or if private car sales are a thing of the past?
I wonder if anyone wants a shiny new thing what a warranty that they are prepared to spend more on, no longer prepared to take a risk on something older and save a few quid in the long run?
A little background about the car, its a small BMW from 2008, very fair condition for age, miles are probably a little high for some (150k).
I always take pride when I sell my cars and I try to be the person I would typically like to buy a car from, in the sense that its just had a full valet, I've had it serviced and put it through an MOT - there were a few items that were advised so have had those all addressed (new tyres.etc), the vehicle essentially has no faults and is good for someone to jump in and drive away.
In terms of pricing, for the particular spec & miles, I feel I've priced it reasonably well at £2.5k given its condition and options. I feel that for the cost its a very decent car - or am I in fact dreaming?
If I needed an affordable economical run-around I would be made up, but the fact is as I now have another car it doesn't fill any gaps.
Anyone else had any trouble shifting at the lower end of the market recently?
Given lease costs these days I would have thought it would have been snapped up by now - a sporty looking coupe that's economical and cheap on tax.
A friend of mine thought that if it was priced affordably it may in fact be putting people off and has suggested raising the price.
Edited by AlexGSi2000 on Monday 18th March 09:04
Just looked on autotrader and you can get a lower mileage, car for the same money. Unless its been well looked after and had all the big stuff done then I suspect its better you dropping your price.
After placing an ad on Facebook marketplace which had zero interest I just sold a car through AT and it was surprisingly easy. I’m a photographer so used that to make the pictures stand out, and gave an honest and detailed description of the car. I got a call the day after placing the advert from a local chap who said he wanted it before even seeing it. When we met the next day he sent a deposit and the day after we completed the deal. In that time another genuine sounding bloke called and wanted to send a deposit. The car was priced at £4750 and I expected and got £4500. Worked out well for me and the buyer was a decent chap.
Without knowing what car it is it's hard to make a useful comparison but, as an example, there's currently a 79k mile 2007 120d available for £2,995.
I'm looking for a stop-gap car at the moment to tide me over until the car I actually want comes up for sale. Ideally something cheap to minimise the hit I take when I offload it later as I won't be in a position to wait around for the best price. I was thinking an older BMW 120d as the OH has owned an early 2005 one since I met her 14 years ago, so I know exactly what to expect with these. I saw a 2006 M Sport with 60k miles on it for £3,500 and would have bought it but it was on the South Coast and I'm in West Yorkshire. That gives you an idea of what you're up against in terms of mileage/price. I'd happy buy one privately but 80k miles is my ceiling as the OH's has just over 100k and has started to throw up some larger bills.
ETA: Was still typing this when the above message with AT link was posted.
I'm looking for a stop-gap car at the moment to tide me over until the car I actually want comes up for sale. Ideally something cheap to minimise the hit I take when I offload it later as I won't be in a position to wait around for the best price. I was thinking an older BMW 120d as the OH has owned an early 2005 one since I met her 14 years ago, so I know exactly what to expect with these. I saw a 2006 M Sport with 60k miles on it for £3,500 and would have bought it but it was on the South Coast and I'm in West Yorkshire. That gives you an idea of what you're up against in terms of mileage/price. I'd happy buy one privately but 80k miles is my ceiling as the OH's has just over 100k and has started to throw up some larger bills.
ETA: Was still typing this when the above message with AT link was posted.
Edited by MitchT on Monday 18th March 10:17
AlexGSi2000 said:
A little background about the car, its a small BMW from 2008, very fair condition for age, miles are probably a little high for some (150k).
I always take pride when I sell my cars and I try to be the person I would typically like to buy a car from, in the sense that its just had a full valet, I've had it serviced and put it through an MOT - there were a few items that were advised so have had those all addressed (new tyres.etc), the vehicle essentially has no faults and is good for someone to jump in and drive away.
If you are not in a rush you need to emphasise the bits here and why it's now going, then in my opinion you will find someone who wants it enough to contact you and perhaps then they'll try and knock you a little. I always take pride when I sell my cars and I try to be the person I would typically like to buy a car from, in the sense that its just had a full valet, I've had it serviced and put it through an MOT - there were a few items that were advised so have had those all addressed (new tyres.etc), the vehicle essentially has no faults and is good for someone to jump in and drive away.
Edited by AlexGSi2000 on Monday 18th March 09:04
Private sales are seemingly getting less and less, and the further you go down the more people focus on price alone, they aren't often discerning buyers they are semi desperate (on a time basis) and want something local are not often very savvy, ie won't pay £300 more for yours, over one that doesn't have new tyres or hasn't been as well cared for.
I would be looking for a car like yours, ie one that's now old, has largely fallen off most peoples radar but has been cared for but the seller can't seem to ask much if anything more for than the poor versions of their car. But people like me are a rarity and you'll have to wait, so I don't always agree with the 7 day auction ebay and you get what you get advice, 'if' you truly believe it's worth it/a good deal.
Definitely a sign of the times
im not selling but buying sub 7k category - ive had sellers tell me that the phone isn't ringing.
Another seller has the cheapest running c class w205 amg line in the uk and i was only the 2nd person to look at it in 3 months.
buyers are being very cautious with their money atm,
but private sellers are not helping themselves still asking for covid era prices.
im not selling but buying sub 7k category - ive had sellers tell me that the phone isn't ringing.
Another seller has the cheapest running c class w205 amg line in the uk and i was only the 2nd person to look at it in 3 months.
buyers are being very cautious with their money atm,
but private sellers are not helping themselves still asking for covid era prices.
Looks fine to me and I don't think you're asking too much. It will sell but might take a little more time because the market for cars like this is a bit thin.
Personally I would have given to WBAC or similar before spending money on service, MOT and fixing the issues. But you've done all that now so private sale is the best way to recoup some of the cost.
Personally I would have given to WBAC or similar before spending money on service, MOT and fixing the issues. But you've done all that now so private sale is the best way to recoup some of the cost.
I may be a big girls blouse but I stopped buying privately many years ago because of the many ways of getting scammed/cheated through that route with little opportunity for come back in the event of issues down stream.
So I pay more for the peace of mind from a dealer nowadays.
I may be alone or it may be that others feel the same so private sales aren't at the levels they once were?
So I pay more for the peace of mind from a dealer nowadays.
I may be alone or it may be that others feel the same so private sales aren't at the levels they once were?
Scarletpimpofnel said:
I stopped buying privately many years ago because of the many ways of getting scammed/cheated through that route with little opportunity for come back in the event of issues down stream.
So you pay more and buy from a dealer who are just as likely/more likely to lie, cheat and scam, do less prep, give less than 2 sh*ts about you as a customer, charge you more for a literal worthless warranty and offer, in practical terms, zero come back in the event of issues down stream. Buying a 2 grand car I'd much, much rather go and talk to the current owner than waste money on the above.
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