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Original poster

How did/would you sell your car?

26 replies

hulababy · 17/04/2006 18:17

Just curious as to what people's experiences are. So far we have only ever part exchanged our cars when purchasing a new one - going for the simpler option really, even though I think you tend to lose out on the car's real value.

However this time the car is worth quite a bit more than the car we are planning to buy, and the ar we are going to sell/part ex is a very sought after car.

It is a new style, one year old Golf GTi (2 litre) with 10k on the clock, not yet serviced as not necessary, 11 months tax remaining at moment and in excellent condition. It is worth as a part ex at leat 16-17k and sell in VW garages for around £19k. They are pretty hard to get hold off outside of VW garages.

So, what are your experiences? Where/How have you sold? Is it worth the hassle of selling it yourself? Did you get more money for your car?

Thank you.

OP posts:
Yorkiegirl · 17/04/2006 18:21

we sold DH's on ebay. Only because we couldn't be bothered to sell it through autotrader. Worked out okay in the end, got a good price for it (but not as much as the Golf!)

SHHHH · 17/04/2006 18:22

I sold my bil's car on ebay for him. No problems and very easy. Just need to organise the auction correctly so you end up with a price you are happy with.

Auction was ended early due to finding the right buyer, she collected it the following day after travelling from the other side of the country basically.

Both the buyer and my bil were happy..! No complaints selling privatly. If you sell it by advertising it in local paper/autotrader/car etc then it can take a while (as I found out with my own car..ended up trading in)
Like you said, dealers don't always give you a good deal...

donnie · 17/04/2006 18:24

we sold our very nice Audi A4 very recently through auto trader and got pretty much the What Car? recommended selling price for the exact same make, model, mileage and spec. Funilly enough it was bought by an Audi dealer privately and he paid the asking price. When we initially approached the Audi dealership we got it from they offered us about £1500 less than the What Car recommendation and wouldn't budge. So we got the asking price less the £90 advertising fee in autotrader - well worth it! I'd recommend this way as the VW dealers will be scouring the pages !

Original poster
hulababy · 17/04/2006 18:24

Not sure on using ebay for such a large amount! Scary thought for me. Will have to have a look, but we can't let it go for less than it is worth regardless.

OP posts:
Original poster
hulababy · 17/04/2006 18:25

donnie - that sounds good; will tell DH about that.

OP posts:
donnie · 17/04/2006 18:25

ps we sold it in one week so nice and quick. Ask for a bankers draft too.

SHHHH · 17/04/2006 18:27

ebay is quick and you know a date when it will/won't be sold iykwim. As for a bankers draft like donnie said and maybe get em to go to the bank with you while you cash it. Don't hand anything over until you have proof the funds have cleared. I am sure the buyer will understand.

Original poster
hulababy · 17/04/2006 18:31

No car like Dh's car on ebay at moment, and the prices for the older ones are no where near what ours is worth.

OP posts:
Yorkiegirl · 17/04/2006 18:32

yes definitely take the draft to the bank and make sure it will cash before handing over the car. People think drafts are safe but there have been loads of fakes recently

charliecat · 17/04/2006 18:33

You could put it on ebay with your phone number \link{http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2004-VOLKSWAGEN-GOLF-GT-TDI-BLACK-NEW-SHAPE-DIESEL-GTI_W0QQitemZ4631306736QQcategoryZ9873QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem\like this}
They have also put

I reserve the right to end this sale early if an acceptable offer is received before the close (all bidding must be through eBay)

and some sellers, not sure ifs allowed put I have this on sale elsewhere and reserve the right to end early.

Original poster
hulababy · 17/04/2006 18:34

Would definitely cash in any form of payment BEFORE allowing the ar to go, regardles sof who bought it.

Still seems more hassle at moment though.

Currently waiting for some quotes from garages, as part ex, coming through.

OP posts:
Original poster
hulababy · 17/04/2006 18:36

Still concerned about the value thing on ebay...

OP posts:
jampots · 17/04/2006 18:42

friends have always bought our cars as dh looks after them like prized possesions.

Original poster
hulababy · 17/04/2006 18:45

Ah, that'd be a nice way... and it is in fab condition!

Actually our last GTi was part ex for the Audi cabriolet..and then a work colleague of Dh's turned up to work driving it a week or so later!

OP posts:
jampots · 17/04/2006 18:46

what are you buying this time then Hula ?

Jbck · 17/04/2006 18:47

BIL sold his Merc on Ebay, last year, it was about £13K if I remember correctly. No problems, guy actually brought cash which I was a bit wary of but it was fine.

Original poster
hulababy · 17/04/2006 18:48

DH is downsizing (cost wise anyway) for a couple of years...not 100% sure what for yet. Maybe a Seat or, if I can persuade him, the ForFour Smart & Passion. He is still looking really. Then in a year or two he will revert back to a better car again. Just want to free up some ready cash for this coming year.

OP posts:
Gingerbear · 17/04/2006 18:52

Hula, my brother (who buys and sells cars like they are going out of fashion) really rates auto trader - he sold my SIL merc soft top for £2,000 more than he paid for it [shock}

Original poster
hulababy · 17/04/2006 18:54

Will get DH to have a look into Auto Trader, thanks :)

The advantage is that the car, because it is still so new, is pretty unusual to pick up especially outside of a dealer garage.

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SHHHH · 17/04/2006 20:56

even though there arn't many similar models on ebay I would let it put you off selling. As long as you know what it's worth and won't accept less than you want you will be fine.

I hate autotrader, mainly because of the cold calls you get from AT and others wanting you to advertise the car with them for a "small" fee...Many friends have been ripped off this way.

With ebay you pay to list the item and pay only once sold. Easy!

Clayhead · 17/04/2006 21:16

My brother sold sil's Mazda MX5 last week through Auto Trader, it all went well and he got a good price.

cod · 17/04/2006 21:36

not again hula!

Original poster
hulababy · 17/04/2006 21:43

Tell me about it Cod! Seem to keep a car a year only at moment!!! At least in the past it was 2-3 years.

OP posts:
all4girlz · 17/04/2006 21:57

we sold our Kia through Autotrader though I wish we done it on ebay it is something like £6 tolist and a fixed fee if it sells

Felt like a criminal as took the old gent who bought our car to the bank while he got a bankers draft and while he paid the outstanding credit off.
Thought we were going to get arrested for old people intimidation but the car went and the money was Safe Smile
you should try ebay with the get out clause if you sell it somewhere else in the mean time you win both ways. good luck

eidsvold · 18/04/2006 06:09

walked into a dealer and sold my car the day before we left for Australia. Dh advertised his in autotrader and had a lot of hassle - people test driving - really wanting it and then nothing BUT that says more about them than autotrader guess. He ended up selling it to a colleague.

Interesting - we were told a dealer would give us no more than 1800 pounds for my car and that acquaintance was doing us a HUGE favour by even offering us that. We ended up just walking into a dealer and they offered us 2 000 pounds without any hesitation.