Deluded sellers

ZeeWrath said:
Started to look at autotrader for a replacement for my ageing F11

Why buy from a main dealer when you can get an older car with more miles and for more money from a private seller!

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305097172800
vs
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305117260582
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Absolutely this,

I helped a mate buy a 18 plate 59k mile 330d recently, he got his from Lookers BMW Stoke for exactly £1k less than the 17 plate 74k mile private seller we looked at (who despite being shown the other near identical spec car on the BMW website still wouldn’t move on price!) :rolleyes:

It’s got some warranty work booked for next week also, I’m sure he’d have got the same from the private seller….. :p
 
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ver01@ said:
First cars for the kids were from auctions. Took a bit of convincing from a friend who has been doing this for ages but saving 30-50% from dealer prices was sweet.
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As far as I am aware the larger motor auction groups are now online only and to approved trade customers.
It seems the public are no longer able to go to their local BCA centre and bid?

I think this was brought in with Covid back in 2020 and was successful so they have continued with it and dispensed with the services of a lot of staff?
My local large BCA was at Blackbushe, I had a few cars from there over the years for myself and friends.

I assume car agents can still bid online with BCA so anyone prepared to pay the agents fee should still be able to buy an auction vehicle provided they are OK with paying the agents fee on top?
 
There are still some that are open to the public as they don't attract as many traders. If you know a good mechanic or a friend in the business it's a no brainer.
 
ver01@ said:
There are still some that are open to the public as they don't attract as many traders. If you know a good mechanic or a friend in the business it's a no brainer.
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I think it may possibly be the smaller regional auctions that are still open to the public and have live bidding from the public at the venue.
If this is the case, I agree 100%, a mechanic or someone knowledgeable about cars is invaluable as the stock on offer is probably older stuff?

I used to enjoy a day out at Blackbushe, shame it is no longer an option.
Other BCA centres I bought cars from in the past were Measham (1st car I owned), Brighouse (2nd car I owned) and Manchester (3rd car I owned).
In fact, all the cars I have owned myself apart from the current one were BCA auction purchases over several decades of ownership.
 
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Price of petrol cars seem to be holding up quite well, especially the unique stuff (C63/M3/RS4), anything that is decently priced is going quickly. Goes to show there is still a market for big V8's.

That being said there's lots of ropey examples on Autotrader and eBay, they are not shifting at all.
 
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I would agree. No idea how much a fiat 500 is worth but on say a £20000 car, I would be only expecting to see £17000-£18000 private tops.

But even on a £5000 car i wouldn't expect a private car to be mroe than £4000.
 
flibbage0 said:
Price of petrol cars seem to be holding up quite well, especially the unique stuff (C63/M3/RS4), anything that is decently priced is going quickly. Goes to show there is still a market for big V8's.

That being said there's lots of ropey examples on Autotrader and eBay, they are not shifting at all.
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Am seeing this, nice examples with good spec, are selling, some even at lofty prices.
Poor examples, poor spec just sitting around, even some at pretty low prices.

I am trying to buy a car at moment, have a made an offer and holding firm refusing to increase it, wish me luck. :D
 
anything is worth what someone is willing to pay for it

I bought my TTRS during covid for £35k and sold 12 months later for £45k. Granted that was silly season, and I could have easily held out for £50k but when someone is offering you the money there and then, it's a risk on how long it will take for another offer to come in. Some days I wish I'd kept it.

buy it, or buy something else. If you think it's worth £18k offer £18k, or look for a cheaper one
 
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TheOracle said:
anything is worth what someone is willing to pay for it

I bought my TTRS during covid for £35k and sold 12 months later for £45k. Granted that was silly season, and I could have easily held out for £50k but when someone is offering you the money there and then, it's a risk on how long it will take for another offer to come in. Some days I wish I'd kept it.

buy it, or buy something else. If you think it's worth £18k offer £18k, or look for a cheaper one
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But then following that logic if something isn't selling they should decrease the price?

For instance I saw an XKR on a private group he mentioned he was going to sell it soon, no advert listed anywhere yet he sold it in 24 hours to a private buyer. I even tried to offer him money before I even saw the car to tell the other guy to kindly not turn up to view the car. Unfortunately I missed out by a few hours :(

Yet you see people posting on forums asking why their car isn't selling, usually it's one or a combination of the following.

1. Price is too high
2. Photos are rubbish
3. Description is rubbish

Usually the 1st one is the sticking point.
 
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I put my rs4 up for sale a few weeks ago and it is pretty quiet out there with no sensible offers yet, just people low balling you before they even come to view the car

Granted mine isn't the cheapest one out there but it is excellent condition with the rare spec recaros for a b8
 
PIPPI said:
I put my rs4 up for sale a few weeks ago and it is pretty quiet out there with no sensible offers yet, just people low balling you before they even come to view the car

Granted mine isn't the cheapest one out there but it is excellent condition with the rare spec recaros for a b8
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I am not sure how much "rare spec" trim or accessories contribute to getting offers on a car.

For a purist or afficionado, yes the rarity aspect will add value and entice them.
However, they might be a much smaller group of people in a larger pool of possible buyers, the majority of which might not appreciate the finer points of the spec?
 
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I always sought out and was prepared to pay extra for Renault sport cars with recaros over the standard seats, but that's just me
 
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