WBAC (or equivalent) and mods?

DereksDontRun · 19 Apr 2016 at 23:36

I'm collecting a new car next week so I've had my present car listed for sale privately for a couple weeks and little interest. I've been offered 9k for a trade in but both WeBuyAnyCar and TrustedCarBuyers are (initially) quoting 9.6k, so I'm thinking it's worth considering them. When I originally listed the car I thought my bottom limit would by 10k, so I'm thinking it's only a 500quid hit and I'm free to collect the new car next week without having to worry about how I'm going to get rid of this one. So, I'm planning to pop into their branches to get an idea of their "final" price after inspection - if it's under 9k I can just drive off and trade in at the dealer next week.

Now, the car has coilovers. It's a MX5 which comes with coilovers as standard, and mine are marginally stiffer and only about 20mm lower, so still looks stock and rides perfectly comfortably (it's not slammed or mega hard ride) and they might go unnoticed.

Now, I know most places don't want to deal with modified cars - so, would you expect a price decrease due to them? Or possibly a slight increase as it's added value to the car? Or would they just ignore them? Just trying to work out if I should upsell them as a benefit as I have the instructions and tools for them which I intend to leave in the car (plus geometry printouts to show they've been fitted and aligned correctly), or try not to highlight them in the hope they go under the radar until I'm asked directly if there are any mods? any thoughts?

rodenal · 20 Apr 2016 at 03:20

Wouldn't mention it, especially if it pretty much looks standard (albeit aftermarket coil overs aren't usually subtle)

Diagro · 20 Apr 2016 at 07:25

I would tell them you had an uprated set of suspension fitted.
supply them with proof of go set up and explain why it's a good thing.

if they don't ask then don't tell.

iaind · 20 Apr 2016 at 08:15

Have you still got the originals? Might be worth fitting them and selling the uprated ones on, would close the money gap a bit too

DereksDontRun · 20 Apr 2016 at 08:41

I have the originals (to offload on ebay if they don't go with the car), but the cost of fitting them (I don't have time to mess about with the car this week) plus about 100 quid for the geometry to be re-done, makes it costly to swap back.

In some respects I was thinking that unless they specifically ask if there are any mods then I will keep quiet. But, I keep thinking it might seem a bit odd/2-faced/dishonest to dare not mention them until they get spotted and then I'm suddenly raving about how beneficial they are as an upgrade... Unless they know the car or have a stock car next to it, they might not notice the coilovers have changed colour, but I feel I need to include the receipt (for warranty) and adjustment tools (to change the ride-height) for the next owner, which obviously gives them away when anyone checks the toolkit.

I guess I'm overthinking it...

Jamesyboyjim · 20 Apr 2016 at 08:47

Keep your min price at the front of your mind and walk away if the offer is less. They will try it on to get the lowest price they can so expect to barter. Maybe they've changed since I last visited, that was years ago.