Why wont my car sell?

This seems to be a recurring theme, had a few posts along this line now - someone trying to sell a 6-10k hot hatch privately and struggling.

I don't think it's hugely overpriced but keep your target audience in mind. It's a more limited market than a standard diesel one, but bear in mind that the average buyer of an 8k GTi pribably doesn't have it in cash ready. He wants you to take his 1.2 corsa in part ex and probably wants a nice finance package with it. You can't offer either of those things or the other nice things about dealer sales - like warranties and SOGA liability. You've priced this in line with trade sales and while it might be a better car for the money - your potential buyer is going to take the one with budget tyres and no sunroof because of the low low monthly payments.

That's not to say there won't be someone out there with cash, but it limits an already limited market. Putting it on owners forums where you'll get enthusiasts looking might help you find someone but chances are they're already looking at AT anyway.

You can either wait the weeks/months it might take or you can make it more appealing - which means making it cheaper.
 
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The above is fair - there are relatively few people out there wanting to buy a £7k+ hot hatch for cash.

If you want strong money then make the ad, car and pictures as good as you can for relatively low cost (so retake some photos, replace towing eye, do not take a picture of a damaged tyre even if it's actually fine), reconsider price then sit back and wait.

If you want rid of the thing then see what webuyanycar are offering an put it up for sale at say £500 more, or just make sure you have been very accurate when entering details and take it there in the first place
 
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nas said:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201602171123723

if I was looking I'd buy probably looked for similar spec this if it commanded a premium, its from a trader so there are comebacks and I could buy VW driveline warranty (if I feared future problems), this was just a quick search so there may be better examples, but spec acts as a large selling point for these.
Click to expand...

The soft-touch plastics in the interiors of these really do not wear well, do they?
 
I think you'll always struggle when trying to sell a GTI for Edition 30 money...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...search-target=usedcars&sort=default&logcode=p

If it's worth what your asking to you, then be prepared for a long wait, and reducing the price anyway as that wait gets longer. If you want to actually sell it, then a reduction in price, along with better pics and the other previous mentioned suggestions might help.

It's not worth more because it wasn't painted (white). Not to me, or many people. Perhaps it was a reason why you bought this car, but it's more likely a reason it isn't selling now. Certainly not worth more.
 
FYI the last three that sold on Ebay including a white one sold for £6K

If you have been offered 6.5K I'd bite their arm off.
 
Rubbish - age and mileage *DIRECTLY* dictate the value of a car.

Sure, buyers might prefer to save money by buying an older one if the newer ones are the same, but you cant use it to say that OPs is overpriced
 
nas said:
as a general rule, most buyers prioritise spec over age as there's no fundamental difference throughout the entire range 05 - 58, excluding edition 30s.
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Actually I think you'll find the majority of buyers want as new a car as possible and assume they fall to pieces or set themselves on fire after 100k miles are on the clock.
 
^

This tbh, I am about to sell my 94k mile Insignia that has every option ticked, I think I will be lucky to get £5000 for it. Webuyanycar.com offered £4000 so we'll see. I HATE selling cars with a passion.
 
We buy any rubbish say £5500
So £6K is what I would advertise it at.

Always keep the advert simple, its basic marketing skills, invite them in.


Example

Gleaming white VW Golf GTi.
This 2 owner car is in excellent condition, has a full 12 MOT and a full documented service history.
Recent timing belt fitted and 2 new Michelin tyres last year.
The car is high spec including AC, ......... you get the drift

Priced to sell at £6000
 
been offered £6700 might take it.. guys being funny though as theres a small piece of rust, Im going to sort it out for £100, could take it vw but will be a long process, he thinks it will cost £2000 to fix.
 
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