Selling a car privately - whats the outlook?

matsil

Hi All,

In the current "buyers market", what is the outlook for trying to sell a car privately, and what is the standard practice as regards sensible pricing?

For example, the car in question is a 2007 Toyota Corolla D4D Saloon Luna with Met Paint (the new shape) - in my neck of the woods dealers seem to be selling the Terra for about €14-15k. I know if I were a "buyer" I would rather buy from a dealer than a private seller so obvioulsy there needs to be a step difference in my asking price as an incentive? What is the normal i.e. 10% below dealer price, 20%.......???

Many thanks for any opinions,

Matt

Atlantic Dawn

I'd say you would need to be 25-30% cheaper than a Toyota main dealer to get a private sale. The prices at the dealer will easily get a 10% discount if no trade in plus you factor in a warranty. If your car is the 2 litre model it will not be too desireable as in 2008 the CO2 based motor tax came into place making it much cheaper to tax the 2 litre diesel.

matsil

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

I'd say you would need to be 25-30% cheaper than a Toyota main dealer to get a private sale. The prices at the dealer will easily get a 10% discount if no trade in plus you factor in a warranty. If your car is the 2 litre model it will not be too desireable as in 2008 the CO2 based motor tax came into place making it much cheaper to tax the 2 litre diesel.

Thanks for the reply, your response makes good sense, much appreciated.

No, its the 1.4 litre D4D. Great car in fairness. So I'd want to be advertising it for €12k and be expecting €11k for it then?

Thanks,

Matt

knifey_spoonie

What mileage do you have on it, Service history, ever crashed, all these things make a difference.

The main thing is be realistic.

matsil

knifey_spoonie wrote: »

What mileage do you have on it, Service history, ever crashed, all these things make a difference.

The main thing is be realistic.

Never crashed, full service history at main dealer, 1 owner, average milage (60,000km = 37,500 miles), no finance outstnading on it..... new front tyres, perfectly good rears, clean inside and out, Luna spec and a parott blue tooth car kit

bazz26

If you are willing to accept €11k for it then start off by advertising it at €11,500. Advertising it at €12k might frighten buyers off as they will not expect to negotiate €1k off a private seller.

Anyone serious about buying it will have their own price in mind, I would not hesitate to ask the €1200 for it, many "private" buyers are quite shrewd and would expect to knock the guts of 10% off the asking price. Advertise for €11,500 and they will be thinking they can get it for not much over €10,000.

The trick to selling a car privately is patience, you must realise that someone will want and buy your car (if it's a good example and priced realistically) however it may not happen for a month or more. Decide your bottom line price and don't go below it, just wait it out. If you expect to sell it quickly than you may be dissapointed.

I had a car for sale for 4 months 3 years ago, only one chap viewed it, he bought it. The car I had before that sold within a day of being advertised. I thought the one for sale for 4 months would have gone quickly and ironically I was quite nervous about selling the other one (I was asking €1350 more than what I had paid for it off a dealer 6 months previous)