To service or not before selling ?

DriveSkill

Hi,

Wonder what people think about benefits of servicing a car before selling privately ? I'm not sure you'd get the money back but might make it easier to sell if it had an up-to-date service...what do you think ?

Car is an 07 with 107K and full service history to date but due a full service now and due timing belt at 120K so if I was keeping it I'd be doing it at next service. I reckon full service incl timing belt will probably be in or around €800 or so but will get price off mechanic.

What do you think - full service it or accept lower price (500 less ?) and sell as is ?

Of course other option is trade it as it and accept less again in value but zero hassle:)

This,
D

Alanstrainor

Personally I wouldn't be putting that much cash into a car i was selling. As you mentioned its not realistically going to add much value to the car.

DriveSkill

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Personally I wouldn't be putting that much cash into a car i was selling. As you mentioned its not realistically going to add much value to the car.

I tend to agree - the only thing is would it put people off buying knowing they had a major service due, I know if I was the buyer it would put me off or at least I'd expect a big discount.

BTW I believe in being up front with any buyer so I wouldnt hide the fact that it needs that work done.

fasttalkerchat

I would do the basics of a service myself. A buyer will prefer a discount to get work done rather than you claiming to have done it. Definitely wouldn't pay a mechanic as labour won't add value to the car.