Is selling a car soon after buying a no no?

[CaptainHindsight]

Long story short, famil of 4 (2 young children), owned a Tiguan quite happily for 4 yrs, lease ended in Feb so handed back. In the meantime purchased a 2017 Mercedes C Class in Jan from Mercedes approved used program. Have realised the Mercedes isn't suitable for us and our current needs and was purchased blind, so want to move on after <2 month ownership. Condition ISS excellent, has the balance of 12 month warranty etc.

Question, is the low term of ownership going to count unfavourably against me? I suspect prospective purchasers will be wary and perhaps put off? I guess I should be open and upfront on the situation when listing to sell?

Thanks all.

[Privanthe]

If the car could be shown as AUC and came with balance of AUC warranty, I would have no issues purchasing. If it was a lemon you would be taking it up with the dealer and if it had any major problems you would be sorting them under warranty - and if too 'extreme' for warranty, would be visible on a test drive.

[popegregory]

It’s a car. If somebody wants one they will buy it from you. I think you’re overthinking things.

[CaptainHindsight]

Thanks both. I was hoping I was overthinking so thanks for putting my mind at ease.

[Torquey]

Is the warrenty transferable to another owner?

My only concern would be the amount of money you'll lose.

As a buyer it wouldn't put me off too much but id be asking some questions

[CaptainHindsight]

Yeah thanks Torquey, I checked and it looks like the warranty is transferable to new owner so that's positive.

[Pistonheader101]

yup transferable

[Baldchap]

I'd imagine most buyers wouldn't even notice how long you'd had it.

[Wilmslowboy]

As said above a short ownership time will matter little, as the car is still under warranty. Therefore the usual fears that the sellers bought a lemon and is looking to pass it on should not apply.

However you have the issue of the dealer’s margin, one more owner, private sale (versus dealer) and a few months less warranty - which could result in significant discounted selling price to what you paid for it,

[av185]

The usual 'Genuine reason for reuctant sale' should just about cover it.

[G111MDS]

Well written advert, decent pictures, and I would also put in a few words around how long you’ve had it and why it’s for sale. Shows you’ve nothing to hide, and it will sell if priced right.

[TheRainMaker]

It won’t put the new owner off, but if you got it from a dealer you are going to get a kicking when you sell so quickly.

[GMac1]

I wouldn't worry about it. I've just sold a car after 2 months. Buyer didn't even ask or check how long I had it. I didn't lose much on it either.
My shortest ownership of a car was just 4 weeks, this was many years ago. It was a convertible but the roof was playing up so decided to offload it quickly.

[ZX10R NIN]

No it's not sometimes people's circumstances change or they just don't gel on with what they've bought.

[bennno]

CaptainHindsight said:

Long story short, famil of 4 (2 young children), owned a Tiguan quite happily for 4 yrs, lease ended in Feb so handed back. In the meantime purchased a 2017 Mercedes C Class in Jan from Mercedes approved used program. Have realised the Mercedes isn't suitable for us and our current needs and was purchased blind, so want to move on after <2 month ownership. Condition ISS excellent, has the balance of 12 month warranty etc.

Question, is the low term of ownership going to count unfavourably against me? I suspect prospective purchasers will be wary and perhaps put off? I guess I should be open and upfront on the situation when listing to sell?

Thanks all.

Don’t think it’ll count against you, although wbac and they like won’t offer if it’s that short ownership. It’ll also need to be a few k less than the main dealer purchase price to find a buyer.

[Mr Tidy]

I don't think any prospective buyer will be bothered if you explain that it just doesn't suit your circumstances - I wouldn't be put off.

But as people have said you're likely to take quite a hit on price.

[CaptainHindsight]

Thanks again all. This may become moot now because the replacement car I want (another Tiguan) looks to be a June/July delivery and so the current car would be ~6mths in ownership. Incidentally, I paid £16.2k for the Mercedes, VW have offered £12.1k trade in, so I presume private sale may realise so where in the middle. If the world is about to begin turning again, maybe I'll get lucky during the summer and find a buyer at a decent price, £2k ownership over 6 mths doesn't seem as difficult to swallow.

Thanks again all.

[Teebs]

What is wrong with the Mercedes?

[CaptainHindsight]

Teebs said:

What is wrong with the Mercedes?

Honestly it's a great car, perfectly fine to drive and comfortable. Merely doesn't have the space we need with 2 young children, eg it's quite low for putting children in the back seats, boot space is reasonable but we can't fit bikes in. Could I live with it if needed? Absolutely, but life is short and a bigger car would make it easier.

[DaveH23]

I've never heard of No of previous owners being a thing.

Why would it matter, people's circumstances change, people buy cars, people sell cars, why would the No of Previous owners influence someone's buying decision?

What a perculiar thought.