Is it mad to sell my car to 'buyanycar' type place?

may_fair

I've never sold a car before, and as a single female I'm not keen on the idea of advertising privately and having random blokes coming round to test drive (or whatever people do to check out a car).

I presume the 'anycar' type dealers don't pay what I might get for the car in a private sale, but I've no idea how much I would be losing potentially. I've checked a few quotes online but I don't really trust them - it's always 'subject to inspection' so I reckon they're bound to reduce it when you actually take the car in. Can anyone recommend any or tell me which ones to avoid?

Is there an alternative, e.g. am I likely to get a better price from, say, a Ford dealer?

If it helps to know, it's a 2005 (55) Ford Fiestia Ghia 1.6 automatic, with 15,000 miles on the clock.

Mobeer

It's not "mad", but be clear how much money less you will get in exchange for convenience, including any fees\charges etc. What is "mad" is to assume those companies will pay a top price for your car.

Kilty_2

Small car, petrol, auto, low mileage, high spec

Sell it privately!

consumers_revenge

Hi,

Use somewhere like this to get an idea of what its worth http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/prices/ edit there you go :-)
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-prices/Valuation.aspx?deriv=32681&plate=79#amount=4000&years=3

Then why not put it on ebay with a sensible reserve ( look what other are getting/watch for a few days ) then invite buyers to inspect. List it as fair as possible with any faults/good points/take some pics.

I've often found and it would also persuade me that if Im welcome to check it then it should be ok. Also you can arrange a time if they want to see it, and arrange for more than 1 of you to be there if you worried. Doubt you'll get many ask to view ( as theycan see it already onlne and ask questions ) but probably better than the car sell type place.

Hope that helps.

Good luck with the sale.



CR

gilbert_and_sullivan

Understandable situation May Fair, it's bad enough for burly blokes these days trying to guess whats likely to turn up from the lists of likely suspects.

Have a look at completed sales on eBay of similar cars, then you'll have an idea what the true value is of your car.
If you give absolutely honest answers and list every fault with the car on the appraisal form then they have no reason to try and reduce the price at the time of the sale appointment.
My son agreed a price with the big advertiser, indeed they honoured the price with no quibbles as he'd been scrupulously truthful with his description.

Your car is a perfect ladies car if you'll forgive the term, is there anywhere at work or places you frequent, clubs etc, that you could advertise the car, i'm quite sure many lady drivers who want to buy feel just the same as you...fair maidens forum type of thing, have a think.

Depending on what and where you are buying, a straight part ex deal might be best, all you can do is try and crunch the numbers.

fadetogrey

and avoid selling it on gumtree,scammers paradise.....:cool:

may_fair

Thanks everyone. Very helpful.

d-seven

Definately avoid "we buy any car dot con". I sold my car at the end of last year (I needed it gone before the end as the tax and insurance would run out on the last day of 2010 and the MOT had already run out, and it would need work done to get it through it.
They quoted me just over £300, I think. But after fees etc, I got £131!!!
Like I say, I needed to get rid of it as I was going abroad and couldn't SORN it as I dont have the space to keep it off road. They knock money off for every little thing they can find. My car was an import from the channel islands, something I didn't realise until they told me.
They knocked more money off because of this, even though it was right hand drive.

leosayer

d-seven wrote: »

Definately avoid "we buy any car dot con". I sold my car at the end of last year (I needed it gone before the end as the tax and insurance would run out on the last day of 2010 and the MOT had already run out, and it would need work done to get it through it.
They quoted me just over £300, I think. But after fees etc, I got £131!!!
Like I say, I needed to get rid of it as I was going abroad and couldn't SORN it as I dont have the space to keep it off road. They knock money off for every little thing they can find. My car was an import from the channel islands, something I didn't realise until they told me.
They knocked more money off because of this, even though it was right hand drive.

Where's the con?

The offered you a price and you accepted it.

To the OP, I would give WBAC a try although go in with your eyes open. Use this site to give you an idea of trade-in value:

https://www.capconnect.co.uk/consumervalues_testing/vauxhall.aspx?CH=U2ETN

interstellaflyer

I would avoid 'webuyanycar.com, out of interest I put the details of my car in and they offered £1500 for an 06 reg Deisel Astra estate and as ithers have said what they offer and what they will end up paying you will be miles apart, they will pay absolute bottom price, better to sell private, have you not got a male friend or relative that could be with you when people come to view the car?

System

If you are buying another car from a dealer anyway, then get quotes from places like webuyanycar, wewillbuyyourcar, parkers, etc. so that you are armed with a comparative price that you can use in your negotiations.

You may find that the car dealer will offer a similar part exchange price.

Then ask how much discount they would offer on the new(er) car if you purchased without the trade-in.

If only a few percent different, then you can decide if the hassle would be worth it.

Personally, I have always traded my old car in to reduce the hassle factor.