Selling cars and motobikes...
 

Hiya,

I've got 2 months to go....thought I ought to think about selling my car and motorbike.
I know all about Autotrader and how to use it etc....just wondering if anyone out there has used it before and how long it took to sell your car and/or motorbike. Is there a better way to do it?
Should I put it up for sale now, or wait another month...

Never sold a vehicle before, and a bit unsure...

Help!

W. :confused:

P.S. Anybody know anyone that might be interested in a X reg blue Fiat Punto or a W reg red Suzuki SV650S? One careful lady owner - perfect condition!

Re: Selling cars and motobikes...
 

Autotrader good but you get loads of companies ringing you up offering to sell your car for a fee. I used one of the local free mags successfully recently.

Paul J

Hi Paul,

Did it take very long to sell?

W.

Re: Selling cars and motobikes...
 

hiya
dunno if this is an option for you but why not try advertising them with a pic on your local hospital's notice board?? i work at the hallamshire in sheffield, and their notice board is heaving with ads for cars and bikes, and they seem to sell pretty quick too!!!

sue

:D :D :D

Wanderlust,

Try your local paper first.
I've advertised in Autotrader a few times and had phone calls from people living 100+ miles away who say they're coming to have a look at the car but just don't turn up. In fact thinking about it I've sold 4 cars privately, I've advertised all 4 in Autotrader but never actually sold to anyone through Autotrader.
Two sold through my local paper, one by word of mouth and one through putting a sign in the window and parking it on the main road where there's plenty of passers by.

If you've never sold privately before make sure you know what you're doing.
Don't allow anyone to test drive on their own, you may never see your car again (don't know how this works with a motor bike
.:confused:).
Don't part with the vehicle until you have CASH IN THE BANK, cheques can bounce, money bills can be counterfeit, it's more common than you think.
A bankers draft/building society cheque is the most secure form of payment as they have to be issued by the bank.

Sorry, it sounds like a minefield but providing you take reasonable precautions you'll be alright.

About two days, but the price has to be right, in my case it was a landrover and they are quite easy to sell

bikes you have to be real careful with when selling private, make them bring someone with them to leave as deposit. ;) or the full asking price of the bike on return if they aren't happy. Don't accept to go with them on the test ride as you're likely to get punted off the back at the lights. ;)

GOOD LUCK! hope it goes well....

now then is anyone interested in a 96 N vectra for £700? 6xCD autochanger, traction control, abs....in good nick...:D ;)

Re: Selling cars and motobikes...
 

I have bought and sold many bikes thru Motorcycle News, Suzuki have flooded the market with SV's at the moment it will be quite hard to sell, maybe go to your nearist dealer and ask they are usually a good measure as they don't rip the back like car dealers. As it is a great 1st bike after passing your test I would try speak to the instructor schools, just a thought.

You may have to pay someone to take the Punto though! LOL

Hiya!

I guess another thing that worries me is freaky people coming round to my house to see the car, realising that this is a woman on her own, etc.etc...... There are so many weirdos out there now. Any suggested safety precautions?

W. :scared:

Gun, basball bat etc, get a male friend to be there, meet them away from the house nearest Safeway carpark etc, but not alone.

any family who can pop over just to make up the numbers? i did the same for my sis a few years back. :)

For the Bike I would also say MCN as I think that is probably the most popular bike paper in the UK. Ebay is another possibility although this will generate interest rather than bids (we bought my other halfs last bike after seeing an ad on eBay although we didn't actually bid on it we went an looked at the bike, test rode it and gave him the cash then he took the auction of ebay).

For the car Autotrader is OK expecially if the car is worth something. For cheaper cars I would suggest Loot and local papers/supermarkets. I advertised my car in all these and it eventually sold through Loot but once I reduced the price a bit I had calls via Autotrader and Loot. As my current car is worth a lot more I will probably look at Autotrader and specialist magazines rather than Loot & the supermarket.

My other advice would be (some of which has already been said)
- Ensure people are insured before they test drive/ride (ask them to bring their licence and insurance with them), make sure they know any damage is their responsibility. If they don't have insurance offer to drive the car for them.
- Never get out the car unless you have the keys in your posession. For the test drive get in the passenger seat and one they are in the drivers seat give them the car key.
- Ensure all cheques and Bankers drafts are cleared before handing over the keys (bankers drafts can be forged these days and even though they may appear to clear the bank will take the money back a few days later.
- Always have someone with you when selling
- Ensure bike test riders agree a price prior to the test ride and take some insurance (we generally leave me with the owner while he goes for the test ride). If the rider damages the bike he has bought it!
- Write out 2 copies of the receipt for purchase. Include the date, vehicle reg, VIN number, mileage, Model, Colour, year, agreed price (and if there is a deposit), sellers name & address, buyers name & address and SOLD AS SEEN. Seller and buyer should sign both receipts and keep one each.
- Get the buyer to complete the Vehicle Registration Document then you send it off (the ones that have been around for the last 7 or so years are designed for the seller to send off and the buyer gets to keep a bit at the bottom).
- Ignore any emails asking you to ship to another country (they are trying to make money by giving you a dodgy bankers draft for more than the cars value and getting to to give then the excess back before the bank realises it's dodgy and takes the money back off you.
- Check what similar vehicles are priced at and price yours appropriately. Print out approximate valuations from Parkers, What Car etc.
- If taking a deposit don't take more than a couple of hundred pounds and ensure the receipt says non-refundable. If the buyer then decides to pull out they are less likely to hassle you about a couple of hundred pound as this is not too much to loose and covers your readvertising fees plus a little bit.
- Take a name & landline phone number from someone who will be coming to view. Check this is a valid number by phoning before they are due to come round.
- Never arrange to meet someone anywhere than your home. A genuine buyer will want to check the address on the V5 matches your address.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

HTH

HTH and all,

Thanks ever so much for the good advice - feeling much more prepared for the task now I've got an idea of what I'm supposed to be doing!

Wish me luck!

W. :D

Hello

I sold two, one with the free mags (loot and adtrader.co.uk) as it was under 1500 hence free, and one with autotrader.
Th eoption I used was the two weeks on the web for 15 pounds.
Advantage is that you can go in a change the ad at any time during the two weeks, e.g. to lower the price progressively.

The first one took months to sell, the second took 1 week.
So my suggestion would be if the car is worth 1500+, invest the 15pounds for a quick sale.
dont forget a quick sale saves you hassle, time and insurance money.

You need to assess the competition on the means you use, i.e. see the prices for the same-ish car and get the price right, otherwise it is really a waste of time.
you could also ring the cheapest offers you see advertised to check if they are still up for sale or if they have sold.
your competitor is the cheapest UNSOLD car advertised.

good luck

additionally
see the advise given in the autotrader on how to sell

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/CARS/sel...lingadvice.jsp