discussion Fixing up a car prior to sale - do or don’t

[GravityLee]

I may be selling my SUV (2015 X6 40d MSport) in the next couple of months. While the car is mechanically perfect (FSH and a good deal of preventative maintenance), as well as spotless interior wise (leather regularly cleaned and conditioned, etc), I’m not pedantic at all when it comes to the exterior.

This means that the car has its fair share of battle scars - most notably dings on one of the doors, some scratches on the rear bumper from loading stuff, couple of rims bear witness to altercation with pavements, that sort of thing.

Should I sort out all of this prior to the sale, or leave as is and price it in? What works better in a case of private sale (won’t be trading in)?

 

[r0ckf1re]

I may be selling my SUV (2015 X6 40d MSport) in the next couple of months. While the car is mechanically perfect (FSH and a good deal of preventative maintenance), as well as spotless interior wise (leather regularly cleaned and conditioned, etc), I’m not pedantic at all when it comes to the exterior.

This means that the car has its fair share of battle scars - most notably dings on one of the doors, some scratches on the rear bumper from loading stuff, couple of rims bear witness to altercation with pavements, that sort of thing.

Should I sort out all of this prior to the sale, or leave as is and price it in? What works better in a case of private sale (won’t be trading in)?

I would say fixing it up depending on what you expecting to get in return. If you just going to get back what you have spent then effort won’t be worth your while.


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[Benji]

As a rule of thumb, you wont get back what you put in when it comes to painting/wheel refurb etc. Buyers are generally put off my a car thats had paintwork done. However, I think a quick R1500 detail and maybe another 1500 on PDR will definitely see a return

 

[momoPike]

Let’s see the pics and work from there?

 

[cRed001]

Sell at as it is, it's a used car. The buyer needs to accept fair wear and tear.

 

[Morribiscuit]

I would say in a private sale to touch up and fix is perhaps more important than if trading in?

Just because it's a purchase and sale that is a little more 'personal'.

In buying from a dealer, its part of stock. Buying from a person, if you are a sloppy, messy, disorganised hurricane, and the car looks similar, it may be less appealing to a potential buying meeting someone punctual and with a car reflecting that.

(please don't think I'm calling you any of the negative things above).

This is how I see it.

Having bought cars from neat, clean sellers who took cars for a wash before selling, treated leather on day of hand over etc, it goes a long way. I speak to each of these people to this day.

If you don't want to make friends and don't care for such, trade it in and continue!

Finally - if you need a detail of sort to clean up before, holla

 

[Mytfine]

As suggested do a proper detail and take it from there.

 

[TBP88]

As long as the car is in decent shape and you disclose any issues that you're aware of I don't see the need to do added labour. Give it a decent clean and leave the next owner a nice NOW#25 cd in the shuttle.

 

[MR_Y]

As long as the car is in decent shape and you disclose any issues that you're aware of I don't see the need to do added labour. Give it a decent clean and leave the next owner a nice NOW#25 cd in the shuttle.

I sold my Z4 privately.
The car was cleaned by the car wash, but when a rain storm hit it got dirty and I was not in the mood to get it cleaned again before the buyer arrived.
The buyer asked for a hose, a bucket and a rag and proceeded to wash the car.
He then asked to park the car in the garage, closed the door and checked the car's bodywork under the garage light.
Needless to say, he ended up buying the car.

If your paperwork and records are in order, that is sufficient.

For me personally, I would prefer a detailed log of all maintenance, including invoices and written/typed out commentary as well, all in a nice flip file. That to me would be sufficient.

 

[TBP88]

I sold my Z4 privately.
The car was cleaned by the car wash, but when a rain storm hit it got dirty and I was not in the mood to get it cleaned again before the buyer arrived.
The buyer asked for a hose, a bucket and a rag and proceeded to wash the car.
He then asked to park the car in the garage, closed the door and checked the car's bodywork under the garage light.
Needless to say, he ended up buying the car.

If your paperwork and records are in order, that is sufficient.

For me personally, I would prefer a detailed log of all maintenance, including invoices and written/typed out commentary as well, all in a nice flip file. That to me would be sufficient.

Nice profile pic

 

[r0ckf1re]

Nice profile pic

Well spotted


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[GravityLee]

I would say in a private sale to touch up and fix is perhaps more important than if trading in?

Just because it's a purchase and sale that is a little more 'personal'.

In buying from a dealer, its part of stock. Buying from a person, if you are a sloppy, messy, disorganised hurricane, and the car looks similar, it may be less appealing to a potential buying meeting someone punctual and with a car reflecting that.

(please don't think I'm calling you any of the negative things above).

This is how I see it.

Having bought cars from neat, clean sellers who took cars for a wash before selling, treated leather on day of hand over etc, it goes a long way. I speak to each of these people to this day.

If you don't want to make friends and don't care for such, trade it in and continue!

Finally - if you need a detail of sort to clean up before, holla

The question was definitely in the context of a private sale - if I am trading in I’ll probably leave some fresh sardines in strategic, easy to reach places as a token of appreciation for the usual honest and trustworthy demeanor of used car dealer.

 

[KarshS]

Get quotes to get it fixed. Market the car as is and speak to the interested buyer when they come to view. Give them to option that you will fix xyz for X amount of rands extra or they can have it as is and sort out themself.

I seen alot of cars that had fresh paint and i turned it down because i dint know what actually happened and the extent of the damage before being fixed.

As for dealers.... dont even bother. They will find something to mark down the price. however when i traded in my e90 they marked me down per panel that had a scratch or ding. After that i asked them how much would i get for it if i sorted out these issues. They told me 15k more if those issues are sorted. I repaired on my own which was about 2k and traded in at the agreed amount.

 

[GravityLee]

Get quotes to get it fixed. Market the car as is and speak to the interested buyer when they come to view. Give them to option that you will fix xyz for X amount of rands extra or they can have it as is and sort out themself.

I seen alot of cars that had fresh paint and i turned it down because i dint know what actually happened and the extent of the damage before being fixed.

As for dealers.... dont even bother. They will find something to mark down the price. however when i traded in my e90 they marked me down per panel that had a scratch or ding. After that i asked them how much would i get for it if i sorted out these issues. They told me 15k more if those issues are sorted. I repaired on my own which was about 2k and traded in at the agreed amount.

Thanks Karsh, that makes most sense.