Should I fix a problem before trade in?

hunnymonster

I need to preface my question with the disclaimer that I am the least knowledgable person about cars, possibly ever. My Clio just failed it's nct on the front shocks. I've gotten a price of €420 to fix them. The thing is, I was just about to change the car ( a 08) as I need something bigger. Am I better to fix the car and get retested or should I just go to garage for trade in and let th fix it?

djimi

Talk to the garage about it, but Id say that there is a fair chance that whatever hit you might take on the trade in value will amount to less than it costs to sort the issue out (bear in mind that they can fix the problem for a lot less than it will cost you to fix it).

biko

For a garage I wouldn't but for a private sale I would.

slimjimmc

I'd get a few other quotes before deciding. €420 seems an horrendous price for replacing shocks.

van_beano

biko wrote: »

For a garage I wouldn't but for a private sale I would.

I agree with Biko, grand for garage, not grand for private.

I traded in my '08 2 weeks ago against another car, it hadn't been serviced in a year, 4 tyres coming near end of life, NCT out of date, likewise the Tax (only by a month). All in all I'm sure it wasn't the best car the garage ever took in. However for me to have fixed all the issues with it would have definitely cost me a lot more than the hit I took in the trade in price.

hunnymonster wrote: »

I am the least knowledgable person about cars

No, I am the least knowledgable person about cars :rolleyes:

Littlehorny

I would do nothing with the car if i was trading it in op as they are going to give you a lousy enough price for your trade in anyway.

Bigus

Get a better price on the shocks, a car with fresh NCT is worth more on trade in.

bazz26

I'd say any decent salesperson will know if the shocks need attention when they take it for a drive.

hunnymonster

Thanks for the info. I rang two garages and got quotes 450 and 420 respectively (NCT guy and both garages said to do both front ones even though only one failed?) I don't think I have anything like the knowledge to do a private sale so it seems the general consensus is to go to the garage as is and see what they offer me? Thanks again for the input, despite van beano's protestations, I'm holding firmly onto my numpty status!

bazz26

Shocks do need to be replaced in pairs (on the same axel) otherwise there will be an imbalance.