Where to advertise a car, to avoid timewasters?

Sportacus

My father passed away two months ago, and I need to sell his 2007 Toyota Prius, I have sold cars on autotrader before, but this time I've got too much else on my plate to be dealing with the clowns and jokers you get phoning up, then not turning up.

I've tried advertising at work, and spreading the word among friends and family, but no one interested. It is low mileage and in good condition, apart from a worrying error code about the hybrid battery - which the AA guy said would likely by £1500->£2000 to fix.

Is webuyanycar.com the only option? I got a quote for £3500, but there was no option to state that it had this error code. I tried the quote for non-runner and it was £715.

bluelad1927

I'd stick it on ebay as a spares or repair quoting the error code. You can't duck out of a 2k issue. It's not relevant what it is worth without the issue

It is worth getting a couple of other quotes as I imagine the AA aren't the most accurate but unless you are willing to fix it before sale you're going to have to price accordingly

Wonka_2

Depending on where you are in the country and the prevalence of Priuses (is there a plural of Prius ?) try advertising on FB groups in places where there's demand for taxis and a repair network. Assuming cosmetic condition is good then someone will have a fix that is cheaper than the AA number

cymruchris

As above - if it's got an issue - it doesn't matter what it's worth without the issue - while there's something wrong - the cost to fix is an unknown until it is actually fixed. It might be £50 - £1500 - £3000 - until the daignosis is complete and the faulty components replaced, few people will take a chance if the price is too high. So either get it fixed and sell it for a higher value, or accept that it's 'spares or repair' and let it go accordingly. 

I'd get a full and frank advert up on ebay with plenty of decent photos inside and out from various angles and start the bidding at £0.01p. (Make sure it's washed and hoovered)

Be clear that it's 'Spares or repair' - be clear where the car is in the country - be clear that your selling your dad's car following his passing so may not know all the ins and outs of the history - be clear on the known faults (or at least what the perceived faults are) - be clear on any damage to the bodywork - include that there's no buy it now price and that you want to let the auction run to completion.

You'll still get loads of messages asking daft questions, and what's your buy it now price - but just politely reply saying the ad contains all the info, and that you'll let the auction run to completion. (And do just that - let it run to completion). Time it to finish around 730pm on a Friday evening, so that there's a bit of competition in the closing stages. It'll likely not have much in the way of bidding until the closing hour - so don't worry if by Thursday evening it still shows as selling for £12.50.

Then whatever it goes for (minus the ebay fee) will be yours, and the car will be gone.

The other alternative is that it goes to webuyanycar - with the fault as it stands will likely give you the non-runner price of £715.

Sportacus

Thanks all, I've not had a great experience selling on ebay though, last one was a spares repair (head gasket job), and the first winner contacted me wanting me to transfer him money so he come and see it! I relisted, and the next winner came and started haggling with me when they came to pick up.

ontheroad1970

you could put it eBay with a reserve of around the non runner WBAC price, taking the eBay fees into consideration.  Then if you don't clear £715 you could get it wBAC'd

bluelad1927

Sportacus said:

Thanks all, I've not had a great experience selling on ebay though, last one was a spares repair (head gasket job), and the first winner contacted me wanting me to transfer him money so he come and see it! I relisted, and the next winner came and started haggling with me when they came to pick up.

While you sell dud cars you can't expect particularly good experiences selling them.
You are only going to attract those who are looking for an absolute bargain. If its the hassle you don't want then WBAC or similar is your answer

Arunmor

You should either get it fixed (2nd hand battery?) or do as has been suggested and sell as spares or repair.   The other problem you have is people are scared of EV or hybrid batteries so probably won't be willing to tinker with it themselves and garagec costs are pretty eye watering these days.

Being to greedy on a banger with a potentially expensive fault is just wasting everybody's time.

If it was me and I was wanting to avoid hassle I'd have into WBAC tomorrow.

[Deleted User]

I've always found Autotrader is the best. You are always going to get a messer, you've just got to try and ween them out on the phone beforehand.

Be totally honest with your description, take lots and lots of photos of the vehicle and this should ensure the ones that call you are serious.

Ebay and all the other websites are full of messers.

Jaybee_16

Get a quote to fix the problem and make a decision after knowing what it will cost to fix against the WBAC value.

Grumpy_chap

Sorry about your loss.

I would not bother with the repair - you will spend time and money and no guarantee of making a return.

Either sell on Ebay as spares or repair (with an appropriate reserve), or take the WBAC price for it as a non-runner.  Before accepting WBAC, try for other online car buying services (Motorway etc) and local "we buy cars for cash" garages before just plumping for the WBAC offer.

If it were me, I'd go for the simple option of one of the car buying services.  You can still get the time wasters via Ebay.

EDIT - out of interest, does a Prius with a battery fault still work, albeit as simply a regular petrol car?  It may not as I think they have to get motive under battery power rather than having a starter motor but I am not sure.  If it can simply work as a petrol car, you might find interest in that to just use "as is", particularly in ULEZ areas, the cars are quite spacious and quite well equipped with a good safety level.