Best way to format your car ebay listing when selling as "car for sale but needs some work"

Soldato
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As most of you know I have recently purchased a new car, I need to quickly get rid of my 2001 MK4 Golf GT TDi 110, which unfortunately I am going to have to sell as needs some work. My tax runs out end of feb so really I want to get rid of it before I have to sorn.

What is the best way to "word" this on ebay, shall I start it off at 0.99p, what about a reserve price? I am not expecting id get much for the car really. However I need it gone.

It has 167k on the clock, water pump has gone, there is electrical problems such as door control model (sometimes the electric windows will cut out) the keyfob and receiver dont work so you have to unlock door with key (and start the engine within 10 seconds otherwise the alarm goes off).

Its had VW service history up until about 70k with cambelt change, independent garage history up until 115k and self service up until 155k. It's also had replacement parts along the way.

Condition is fair inside, outside there is a few scuffs, and there is a slight gap in the bumper.
 
Just list it with no reserve to finish on a Sunday at quarter to eight and spell out all the good points and bad points.

TBH how much are you expecting?
 
Also, what problems may I run in to if I have to SORN the car, then sell it?

Im going to be very tight on getting rid of it before end of Feb, as I need to clean it up first (this weekend)
 
Two options:

1: Write a very open, detailed description. A lot of buyers prefer this as then they can bid with confidence and do not have to come and view to discover issues themselves.

2: Keep it very plain and simple like an autotrader ad and leave it up to buyers to come and discover issues.

I prefer option 1 myself if I am selling and buying. I've travelled 70 miles before to view a car only to turn up and see a massive scuff down one side. "Sorry I didn't have time to mention mate, the wife scuffed it in a car park last night". Yeah, sure she did. Waste of my time, effort and petrol cost.
This can just get peoples backs up when they come and see all the niggles and they will just knock you down more. The point in ebay really is to be able to describe things in detail so people can make decisions to bid there and then without having to see the car in person - although I would ALWAYS go to view myself anyway.

I'd also never list at 99p no reserve and hope it sells. Used to do that to get more exposure/bids/attention, but had a couple of things literally go for 99p coz nobody bid worth mucn more.
 
That is the sort of car I'd Auction. (Insert Dodgey looking smiley here)
 
Two options:

1: Write a very open, detailed description. A lot of buyers prefer this as then they can bid with confidence and do not have to come and view to discover issues themselves.

2: Keep it very plain and simple like an autotrader ad and leave it up to buyers to come and discover issues.

I prefer option 1 myself if I am selling and buying. I've travelled 70 miles before to view a car only to turn up and see a massive scuff down one side. "Sorry I didn't have time to mention mate, the wife scuffed it in a car park last night". Yeah, sure she did. Waste of my time, effort and petrol cost.
This can just get peoples backs up when they come and see all the niggles and they will just knock you down more. The point in ebay really is to be able to describe things in detail so people can make decisions to bid there and then without having to see the car in person - although I would ALWAYS go to view myself anyway.

I'd also never list at 99p no reserve and hope it sells. Used to do that to get more exposure/bids/attention, but had a couple of things literally go for 99p coz nobody bid worth mucn more.


If you wouldnt start at 99p no reserve, what would you start it off at?
 
Well you want to make sure you get the minimum you want, so definitely have a reserve of your min + listing cost :)
 
I hate reserves and never use them. Annoying for buyers. I'd start it at the absolute minimum I'd want for it, simple.

and when you contact a seller asking to know the reserve before you arrange to go see a car (to find out whether its completely out of budget) but they wont tell you, so you dont know if theyll ever actually accept what you want to pay so the whole thing stops in its tracks... as if youre asking for their mothers maiden name and pin numbers
 
If it drives that sounds like a good auction candidate to me.
 
Yea, bang it into your local auction, going crazy for diesel things at the moment. It's a GOLF, m8! GTAYEEEEEEEEEE, D'YA LOIK DAGS ETC!

Just make sure to tell the keyholders about the starting trick....

You can probably set a reserve on it if it's inside the usual ten-year limit.
 
Yeah agree on the point about people not being open about the reserve. The ones where I've had a reserve I've openly put in the description what the reserve is.

I'm sure I did it this way as it's cheaper than the higher listing price.
 
I prefer option 1 myself if I am selling and buying. I've travelled 70 miles before to view a car only to turn up and see a massive scuff down one side. "Sorry I didn't have time to mention mate, the wife scuffed it in a car park last night".

Reminds me of the time I went to view another Stag - rang the guy up in the morning, still all good to go, got there after two hours and instantly went "oh, fu....."

"Sorry, did I not mention my wife had crashed it?".

"NO."
 
Cool ok, so start off @ 99p, put a reserve and add reserve to listing description.

If I dont manage to sell it before it has to be SORN, whats the score with selling cars that have been "SORN"?
 
No problem selling a car that's SORN but if they want to drive it away they'll most likely need to tax it - but that's their problem, not yours. Once the documents are signed over then it's no longer your issue. Do make sure that you clearly state it's SORN, though.

You'll attract many more buyers if it's taxed though, for the simple reason that they can just pick it up and (legally) drive it home.
 
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