Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Please note that it is not permitted to have referral links posted in your signature. Keep these links contained in the appropriate forum. Thank you.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2055940817/signature-rules
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Spending money on a car thats about to be traded

  • 07-04-2009 10:17AM
    #1
    carrollmark
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 93 ✭✭


    About to start car shopping and I'll be trading in my current motor against whatever I buy.

    My car is overdue a service, needs replacement brake pads, front tyres and has an airbag light.

    Is it worth addressing some or any of the above before I trade? Is it wasted money or will it make a big difference to the trade in value I'm offered?

    Any comments particularly from within the trade appreciated!


Comments

  • #2
    Johnboy Mac
    Closed Accounts Posts: 646 ✭✭✭Johnboy Mac


    carrollmark wrote: »
    About to start car shopping and I'll be trading in my current motor against whatever I buy.

    My car is overdue a service, needs replacement brake pads, front tyres and has an airbag light.

    Is it worth addressing some or any of the above before I trade? Is it wasted money or will it make a big difference to the trade in value I'm offered?

    Any comments particularly from within the trade appreciated!


    Spend nothing on it. A lot of sales staff will just glance a it and allow you X against your new car.


  • #3
    -Chris-
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,035 ✭✭✭✭-Chris-


    It will make a difference to what you're offered, but the garage should be able to get it done cheaper than you.

    My advice would be to find out what the repairs would cost you to do before you go in, and then have this in the back of your mind as the salesperson values your car so that you can see if they're being too hard on the car.


  • #4
    carrollmark
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 93 ✭✭carrollmark


    AudiChris wrote: »
    It will make a difference to what you're offered, but the garage should be able to get it done cheaper than you.

    My advice would be to find out what the repairs would cost you to do before you go in, and then have this in the back of your mind as the salesperson values your car so that you can see if they're being too hard on the car.

    Thanks Chris ...

    Actually maybe you can help me with that ...

    What would a ballpark figure be for a main dealer to service a Golf Gti, fit new pads, clear an airbag light and knock about 35,000 off the mileage?






    Only joking on the last one :D


  • #5
    lifer_sean
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 890 ✭✭✭lifer_sean


    carrollmark wrote: »
    My car is overdue a service, needs replacement brake pads, front tyres and has an airbag light.

    I wouldn't worry about the service / pads / tyres. Any dealer will budget for this type of work when trading a car anyway, and can do the work cheaper than you can. I allow 200-300 euro on any car I trade for this type of wear-and-tear maintenance prior to resale.

    If I were trading your car, the only item there I would worry about would be the airbag light, if I noticed it. But even at that I'd probably assume it was minor, eg bad connector under the seats etc.

    Whatever you do, do NOT take out the airbag warning bulb to make the warning disappear ... this is dangerous and could have serious implications down the road. Just a heads-up; I know you didn't suggest this and probably wouldn't dream of doing it anyway, but in case someone were to suggest it to you.


  • #6
    carrollmark
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 93 ✭✭carrollmark


    lifer_sean wrote: »
    I wouldn't worry about the service / pads / tyres. Any dealer will budget for this type of work when trading a car anyway, and can do the work cheaper than you can. I allow 200-300 euro on any car I trade for this type of wear-and-tear maintenance prior to resale.

    If I were trading your car, the only item there I would worry about would be the airbag light, if I noticed it. But even at that I'd probably assume it was minor, eg bad connector under the seats etc.

    Whatever you do, do NOT take out the airbag warning bulb to make the warning disappear ... this is dangerous and could have serious implications down the road. Just a heads-up; I know you didn't suggest this and probably wouldn't dream of doing it anyway, but in case someone were to suggest it to you.

    Cheers for that.

    The airbag light is on for one of two reasons.

    I had a minor bump on the rear passenger bumper when I reversed into a low concrete bollard.

    There's also a plastic cover about eight inchs by two, under the front passenger seat that keeps popping out when the seat is slid forward. This exposes wires and connections that I've been told can trigger an airbag light if they become loose. Dunno how true that is but I'll have a look


  • Advertisement
Advertisement