Private car seller - what is realistic

sarah69696pink

I am selling my car.
I've had several valuations, from garages and websites and all have been consistent in what to expect to get privately for the car (£4100 in good condition, potentially more as its in what they deem excellent condition).
I wondered whether I can realistically expect to get this?
I'm in no rush to sell, but have had an offer almost immediately, although a bit lower than I'd like.
Obviously buyers can also get these valuations done so they know what the car is supposedly worth, and everyone likes to get a a good deal. So I wondered if its worth holding out for the elusive full price (or pretty close to) or whether I should expect to loose 10% or something of the value??
I know its obviously worth what people will pay - but just wondered if there is a general consensus as not sold a car privately before.

angrycrow

What is it costing you to keep the car ie tax, insurance and advertising for the next month. Compare this to the requested discount and if with say difference is only £100 take it to avoid the hassle. You could reject this offer and get no other takers for a month.

facade

What would it sell for at a dealers?
They offer a "guarantee" and at least some sort of come-back.

Dealer price needs to be £5000+ to expect someone to give £4100, as you say, everybody wants a "bargain".

foxy-stoat

The price is only an indication, what are other cars of similar spec/mileage being advertised for?

Buyers will knock a few hundred pounds of, doesnt matter how much its worth or being advertised for. Upto you if you want it gone sooner or later.

sarah69696pink

Thanks all for taking the time out. It seems reasonably priced compared to others, but considering various factors you've suggested decided to sell at this price. I'm not much of a gambler so would prefer to loose a couple of hundred now than not be able to sell in a month or so when I need it to go.

System

I'd advertise £4200 if I wanted £4000 as I'd expect to be knocked down a couple of hundred quid. That way I get what I want and the buyer thinks they've got a good deal getting a couple of hundred quid off.

Frozen_up_north

From the original post it's not clear whether the £4100 is a realistic private sale price, a dealers forecourt price, or a trade-in price.

The bigger concern is the potential for post sale issues. At the price quoted it's hard to claim "sold as seen, no refunds", etc. If the OP is looking to use the money to put towards another car, a trade-in is virtually risk free with regard to "come backs"

foxy-stoat

Frozen_up_north wrote: »

From the original post it's not clear whether the £4100 is a realistic private sale price, a dealers forecourt price, or a trade-in price.

The bigger concern is the potential for post sale issues. At the price quoted it's hard to claim "sold as seen, no refunds", etc. If the OP is looking to use the money to put towards another car, a trade-in is virtually risk free with regard to "come backs"

Not really - private sale there are no come backs as long as it was advertised correctly and not mis-represented and wasn't in a dangerous condition.

sarah69696pink

Hi All - just to add a bit more context. I was offered a lot less for trade in and advised by the garages to see if I could sell privately initially (well by the friendly garages, some just pushed me to trade it in). I advertised at £4250 so did advertise at more, hoping to get £4100 or £4000. I got offered less, but have decided to sell anyway. Although I'm not in a rush things like breakdown etc are up for renewal soon so going to take the money and then just take our time to look for a new car. We can cope for a while without and hopefully without another car to trade in I may have a little bargaining power for a little bit off a new car.
I've advertised car correctly and been open about any work had done. I've also shown MOT certificate with the advisories for last 5 years.
Buyer spent about 45 mins checking over the car (clearly knew a lot more about cars than me!) and I took him for a drive in it and he had a test drive in a car park too.
I've downloaded the AA car selling contract for us both to sign - which states "The undersigned purchaser acknowledges receipt of the above vehicle in exchange for the cash sum of £.........., this being the price agreed by the purchaser with the vendor for the above named vehicle, receipt of which the vendor hereby acknowledges. It is understood the vehicle is sold as seen, tried and approved by the purchaser"

If anyone has any more tips or anything I need to be aware of I'd be grateful. Buyer is collecting this evening.

facade

Make sure that you keep the front page of the V5, filled in with the buyers details; give him/her the small "new keeper" slip from the second page.


Then tomorrow (it only works 7AM-7PM) transfer the keeper to them


https://www.gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle



using the details on the V5, file it away in case any parking tickets or speeding tickets come through the post.


(print out the email acknowledgement and keep it with that old V5)

sarah69696pink

Thanks that's really helpful.